Helicopter called in from Vancouver to rescue lost skier from South Okanagan ski resort

A lost skier was safely rescued from a south Okanagan ski resort Friday night, thanks to the help from a helicopter brought in from Vancouver.

The Oliver/Osoyoos Search and Rescue (OOSAR) received a call from the Emergency Coordination Centre that the skier had gone out of bounds from the Mount Baldy Ski area, which is just under 60 kilometres northeast of Osoyoos.

“We were able to make phone contact with the subject and asked him to stay where he was,” explained the OOSAR team.

“As members were getting ready to deploy, we were able to get the subject’s coordinates to give us a general location.”

Four members were deployed to the area with two snowmobiles and a tracked quad to search the area.

However, as the temperature began to drop and the sun was going down, the search and rescue team realized they may not be able to get into the area. Recent heavy snowfall was also hampering their efforts due to a few downed trees.

That’s when the call was put in to request the night vision and winch ripped helicopter from Vancouver was available.

Fortunately, the weather between the coast and south Okanagan was favourable and the helicopter was able to attend the scene with an air crew in tow.

The helicopter team quickly located the lost skier and safely extracted them out of the area. No injuries were reported and the skier was reunited with their friends in the ski resort’s parking lot.

“This skier did the right thing, as soon as he realized he was lost he called 911. He also stayed in his location until he was rescued,” explains OOSAR.

“His friends also did the right thing by reporting him missing to the ski hill as soon as they realized he was not with them.”

The team thanked the North Shore Rescue team, Talon Helicopters and the Mount Baldy Ski Patrol for their assistance.