Spanish skiers rescued after spending three nights in B.C. backcountry

GOLDEN, B.C. — A pair of skiers from Spain have been released from hospital after they spent three nights lost in the British Columbia backcountry.

RCMP Const. Spencer Lainchbury says Kicking Horse Mountain Resort notified police Sunday morning that a 43-year-old woman and a 41-year-old man failed to check out of their private accommodation near Golden, B.C.

A search-and-rescue helicopter spotted the skiers before noon in the Canyon Creek area behind the ski hill, which is about 100 kilometres west of Banff.

“The two had mistakenly entered the area, became lost, and spent four days attempting to find their way out,” Lainchbury said.

The man and woman went out of bounds on Thursday he said, adding that their level of experience skiing and in the backcountry is uncertain.

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Lisa Roddick, a spokeswoman for Golden and District Search and Rescue, said the skiers were quickly located after waving down the search helicopter.

“They were cold, hungry and thirsty and grateful to have been found,” Roddick said in an email.

The pair were flown to a waiting ambulance and then to hospital to be treated for injuries related to exposure.

Police are reminding outdoor enthusiasts to carry proper equipment and emergency supplies and to always let someone know about travel plans.

The provincial government pays for search-and-rescue operations in B.C. and all search-and-rescue members are volunteers.

The Canadian Press