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Out-of-bounds skier leads to first search-and-rescue call of the season

Police Briefs: Teens ticketed following joyride; Police search for hit-and-run suspect
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A skier who went beyond Whistler Blackcomb’s (WB) boundaries this week was airlifted to safety in the first search-and-rescue callout of the season.

At about 4:20 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 2, Whistler RCMP was notified by WB ski patrol of a man who had skied out of bounds on Whistler Mountain in the area of Cakehole and had not been seen since.

A helicopter crew with Whistler Search and Rescue (WSAR) initiated the search at first light the following morning, and eventually located the man at around 9:30 a.m. Due to the steep terrain, the skier had to be extracted via long line, and was airlifted to a nearby parking lot before being driven to Whistler Village to reunite with his family. In a release, police said the man was “very lucky” to have escaped the ordeal uninjured.

“The Whistler RCMP are reminding people that skiing outside of clearly marked boundaries (is) putting themselves, and those that are charged with rescuing them, in harm’s way, and to obey the signs,” the release read.

“People are reminded to stay within the ski-area boundary and obey mountain signage,” said WSAR manager Brad Sills in the release. “Those choosing to legitimately recreate in the backcountry should be experienced and equipped for self-rescue with an avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe, navigation equipment, first-aid gear and similarly equipped and trained companions. This recent example fortunately ended with a successful outcome, however could have had dire consequences for the individual—we are glad he is OK.”

Vancouver teens caught racing Camaros on Sea to Sky Highway

A joyride ended on a sour note for a pair of Vancouver teens who were caught racing on the Sea to Sky Highway this week, police said.

At about 12:30 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 3, Whistler police were “notified by a concerned traveller” of two drivers that appeared to be racing northbound in two newer-model Chevrolet Camaros on Highway 99 near the Brandywine Forest Service Road.

Both drivers were eventually stopped by police at Village Gate Boulevard. A 19-year-old male and a 17-year-old male, both from Vancouver, were given tickets for driving without due care and attention.

One of the driver’s vehicles was towed from the scene for not having the proper winter tires installed. The other was prohibited from leaving the scene until the registered owner of the vehicle arrived after it was discovered the teen had been operating the Camaro on a learner’s permit without a supervisor.

“Not only is it irresponsible for drivers to drive in a manner that was witnessed in this incident, but had there been a collision, lives would have been altered forever,” said Staff Sgt. Paul Hayes in a release. “The Whistler RCMP are steadfast in our commitment to protect our community and the roads in which we travel. The Whistler RCMP will continue to enforce the rules of the road—without exception—in order to identify those who choose to disobey the rules.”

Police searching for man involved in hit-and-run

Whistler police are on the lookout for a man who was reportedly involved in a hit-and-run on Highway 99 last week.

At about 8:40 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 30, Whistler RCMP received a report of a collision at Highway 99 and Alta Lake Road. Police said the investigation revealed that two drivers were headed southbound when one of the vehicles rear-ended the other.

When both drivers pulled over to exchange information, police said the driver who struck the vehicle from behind offered cash to repair any damage. When the other driver refused payment, the suspect fled the scene.

He is described as Caucasian, between 35 to 40 years old, with a slim to medium build, with short brown hair and a slight beard. The suspect’s vehicle is described as a grey, older-model Chevrolet or Ford pickup truck with a large bumper and the right headlight burnt out.

Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact Whistler RCMP at 604-932-3044 or Sea to Sky Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 to remain anonymous.