Family rescued at Sun Peaks seeks to make amends

Feb 9, 2016 | 3:12 PM

SUN PEAKS, B.C. — It was a frightening end to a Lower Mainland family’s long weekend, after they ventured out of bounds while skiing at Sun Peaks Resort. 

The family of six were rescued Monday afternoon, after they ducked under a rope, thinking it would be a shortcut back to the village. Instead, they had actually crossed into an uncontrolled avalanche slope, and were wandering down very dangerous terrain. 

“They started skiing and realized that they were heading away from where the ski village was. They were on an uncontrolled avalanche slope, and the snow was making a ‘whooping’ sound under their skis, so they realized they were in danger and they stopped and did the right thing. They called Sun Peaks, who called the RCMP and called us, we were deployed around 3:30pm to out and rescue them,” says Alan Hobler, Kamloops Search and Rescue.

Search and Rescue sent snowshoers out to search, and just before darkness the RCMP helicopter managed to reach the mother, father, and their 4 young children. Alan Hobler of Kamloops Search and Rescue says the father was extremely upset when he realized he had endangered his entire family, and he is now trying to show his appreciation for the effort crews made to get them to all to safety.

“[He is] very shy and apologetic, obviously he is aware he made a terrible mistake ducking under the ropes there, I can guarantee you that is never going to happen with him again and he is trying to make amends, both with Sun Peaks and with us here also. He indicated he is going to be making a donation to Kamloops Search and Rescue,” says Hobler.