Dog Helps Save Lift Operator In Avalanche

A rescue dog at the Fernie Alpine Resort helped save a lift operator who had been buried in an avalanche recently near Fernie, British Columbia.

The slide occurred about mid-day as the 20-year-old, who was running the White Pass Quad to check it before the resort’s opening last week, was skiing down the mountain from the top.

A spokesman for the B.C. Ambulance Service said several people saw the avalanche and reported it and members of the ski patrol quickly dug the man out.

The man, whose name was not released, was treated at Fernie District Hospital and released. He had been buried for 24 minutes and was unconscious when he was located by Keno, an avalanche rescue dog.

“Keno is trained to dig when he smells a human scent under the snow,” said Robin Siggers, the dog’s ski patrol handler. “He started digging and pulled a glove out of the snow. I dug down and found a hand.”

Earlier in the day, the victim skied down a designated safe route successfully, but this time apparently strayed off the safe route toward two ski patrol members working on the mountain.

The resort has three avalanche dogs certified as fully trained by the Canadian Avalanche Rescue Dog Association.

Snowmobiling changes at Priest Lake

Winter logging and truck traffic has forced the Forest Service to prohibit snowmobiling on Binarch Creek Road 639 near Priest Lake from Highway 57 to the junction with Lamb Creek Road 310.

Snowmobilers traveling from the south end of Priest Lake to trails on the north end can use designated routes on the east side of the lake, Priest Lake Ranger District officials said.

Also, snowmobilers parking along the Nordman-Metaline Road 302 near the Tango Road junction are being directed to a new trailhead parking area a mile farther north. The new trailhead helps snowmobilers avoid weekday logging traffic.

Info: (208) 443-2512.