A search and rescue member covering the Okanagan for eight years says there's no excuse for not being prepared in the backcountry.
Justin Evans, 2017's top North American competitive snowmobiler, says technology has advanced to the point every rider should be prepared.
“It's not hard – it is easy to be properly prepared,” he said. “We are getting more advanced in our training, our gear, there is so much on the internet to read before you go out.”
Sleds cost thousands of dollars, and an avalanche course is only a few hundred.
“What’s a $300 avalanche course? What's a couple hundred dollar beacon that could save your life?”
Evans says when people are ill-prepared and end up needing to be rescued, it gives all snowmobilers a bad name.
“Our club right here in Kelowna has 16 guys that are on a list and always ready to go help," he said.
Sledders, skiers, snowshoers.... “we’ll go find them."
This time last year, Evans had already responded to seven rescue calls. And two groups of snowmobilers went missing on Boulder Mountain in the first two weeks of January this year.
“Ten years ago, avalanche gear and beacons were sparse … now, there are so many. Prices are coming down,” he said.
Evans estimates about one in five Okanagan snowmobilers will have an avalanche beacon or kit on them. In mountainous areas like Revelstoke, more are well equipped.
“If you buy the bigger machines and want to push yourself, I’d say four out of five guys have their avalanche bag on and their beacons."
He fears access to some areas may be limited to keep people safe.
“I don’t see the excuse why you are not wearing them, why you are not carrying them,” he said.