I just want to share with you the editorial in my local paper: The Prince George Citizen dated May 5, 2009
SNOWMOBILE BAN UNDULY DRASTIC, NOT NECESSARY
Snowmobilers who seek nirvana in B.C.'s mountainous terrain are tempting fate when they venture into dangerous territory. But they should not be forbidden to do so. The owner of B.C.'s largest helicopter skiing company wants snowmobilers banned from B.C.'s mountains because of what he calls "an epidemic" of avalanche deaths.
Mike Wiegele says the fact 19 snowmobilers were killed in avalanches in B.C. this winter should be a wake-up call to the provincial government to ban snowmobiles from the backcountry.
This would be an unduly drastic and unnecessary step.
Certainly the best way to prevent avalanche deaths in to prevent people from venturing into the mountains. It is also true that more deaths involve snowmobilers than any other group. However, banning them from the mountains would deny snowmobilers one of the great thrills of their hobby - human and machine in B.C.'s mountainous splendour.
Rather than a ban, what's needed is beter education in the snowmobiling community - knowing when it's safe and not safe to venture into the high country.
The Canadian Avalanche Association issues weekly advisories throughout the winter on avalanche risks around B.C. A membership in a group such as the Prince George Snowmobile Club can also be valuable.
Experienced, responsible sledders also know there are great places to go when snow conditions in the mountains are too dangerous.
In the Prince George area this winter there were avalanche fatalities near Chetwynd and McBride that involved snowmobilers from Alberta, raising the possibility those groups threw caution to the wind rather than scuttle a long-planned weekend of sledding in B.C. The onus is on all backcountry users to know the terrain and its conditions.
As with and decision in life, discretion is the better part of valour.
Instead of a ban, the province should introduce a law that makes snowmobilers or skiers lost in off-limits areas responsible for rescue costs.
The possibility of injury or death hasn't been much of a deterrent for many, but perhaps they might think twice about a risky adventure if a hefty monetary cost is attached.
SNOWMOBILE BAN UNDULY DRASTIC, NOT NECESSARY
Snowmobilers who seek nirvana in B.C.'s mountainous terrain are tempting fate when they venture into dangerous territory. But they should not be forbidden to do so. The owner of B.C.'s largest helicopter skiing company wants snowmobilers banned from B.C.'s mountains because of what he calls "an epidemic" of avalanche deaths.
Mike Wiegele says the fact 19 snowmobilers were killed in avalanches in B.C. this winter should be a wake-up call to the provincial government to ban snowmobiles from the backcountry.
This would be an unduly drastic and unnecessary step.
Certainly the best way to prevent avalanche deaths in to prevent people from venturing into the mountains. It is also true that more deaths involve snowmobilers than any other group. However, banning them from the mountains would deny snowmobilers one of the great thrills of their hobby - human and machine in B.C.'s mountainous splendour.
Rather than a ban, what's needed is beter education in the snowmobiling community - knowing when it's safe and not safe to venture into the high country.
The Canadian Avalanche Association issues weekly advisories throughout the winter on avalanche risks around B.C. A membership in a group such as the Prince George Snowmobile Club can also be valuable.
Experienced, responsible sledders also know there are great places to go when snow conditions in the mountains are too dangerous.
In the Prince George area this winter there were avalanche fatalities near Chetwynd and McBride that involved snowmobilers from Alberta, raising the possibility those groups threw caution to the wind rather than scuttle a long-planned weekend of sledding in B.C. The onus is on all backcountry users to know the terrain and its conditions.
As with and decision in life, discretion is the better part of valour.
Instead of a ban, the province should introduce a law that makes snowmobilers or skiers lost in off-limits areas responsible for rescue costs.
The possibility of injury or death hasn't been much of a deterrent for many, but perhaps they might think twice about a risky adventure if a hefty monetary cost is attached.
