The Central Okanagan Search and Rescue (COSAR) team was called for its eighth task of the year on Jan. 22, to extract three skiers from near Big White Mountain.

Initially, gaining access to the three skiers鈥搘ho were stuck at the Two John Lake area near the Big White Mountain ecological reserve鈥� was difficult as the Big White Road was closed for the extraction of a vehicle that had crashed into a ditch.

While the skiers waited for the COSAR snowmobile team to rescue them, members of the Big White Ski Patrol team came in to help.

Despite the fact that the stranded skiers were not skiing at the Big White Resort, Ski Patrol zoomed in and dug a snow cave for the skiers to wait in. This temporary shelter helped to keep the skiers warm while they waited for COSAR.

鈥淭hey did everything correctly,鈥� said search manager Kevin Birnie.

The skiers were able to provide search and rescue teams with their exact location and had all of the equipment required to keep them safe while they waited for help.

鈥淭hey were well prepared; and the Big White Ski Patrol made sure they were OK. They just needed a ride back to civilization.鈥�

COSAR is volunteer-based and provides search and rescue at no cost. To learn more visit

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