Sun Peaks is reminding skiers and snowboarders to follow the signs and stay safe (Image Credit: Aidan Kelly / Sun Peaks Resort)

By Chad Klassen

SKI SAFETY

Sun Peaks reminding skiers and snowboarders to put safety first over adventure

Feb 11, 2020 | 4:36 PM

KAMLOOPS — Sun Peaks is hoping the case of 14-year-old Kamloops native Carson Hadwin, who went missing on the mountain two Sundays ago before being rescued, is a reminder to skiers and snowboarders to stay safe on the mountain.

While snowboarding The Gils, a black-diamond, ungroomed area of Sun Peaks, Hadwin said he took a wrong turn.

“Worst part about it is Sun Peaks doesn’t have any signage for The Gils,” Hadwin told CFJC Today last week.

Photos provided by the resort show there are signs warning skiers and snowboarders of the dangers of venturing out in The Gils.

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“When you’re heading in there, we have a bunch of signage that indicates to people avalanche conditions you’re entering, black-diamond, expert-only type terrain. Then out there, we have a very clearly-defined boundary line. It’s actually a double rope,” said Sun Peaks’ chief managing operator Aidan Kelly. “It can be really hard to see when you’re up there and you get disoriented when there’s a snowstorm and the wind’s blowing. So it’s not a fool-proof plan, but we do what we can up there.”

Sun Peaks does not want to put blame on Hadwin. Kelly says the resort is using his situation as a learning experience for others. The resort recommends people don’t ski alone.

“The buddy system is super important, especially with the weather patterns we saw over the past month at Sun Peaks,” noted Kelly. “A lot of snow, so getting disoriented can become an issue and also tree wells. That’s a big hazard. Whenever someone gets lost, that’s one of the first things we think about that can be fairly dangerous. The buddy system really helps alleviate a lot of those types of concerns.”

This is one of the warning signs posted at The Gils for skiers and snowboarders at Sun Peaks (Image Credit: Aidan Kelly / Sun Peaks Resort)

In the event you get lost in a remote part of the mountain, officials say to be prepared with the right equipment.

“Extra-warm clothing, dry clothing, food, sounding devices like a whistle is imperative,” said Alan Hobler from Kamloops Search & Rescue. “Then communication devices like a phone or a [satellite] phone or a handheld radio. Then we always carry headlamps ourselves, and anything else to keep you warm and dry.”

Sun Peaks says these situations don’t happen often, but it wants to ensure there isn’t a repeat of what happened to young Carson Hadwin.