The Voice of BC Snowmobilers

SNOWMOBILE ACCESS TO THE BRITISH COLUMBIA BACKCOUNTRY

Following another recent newspaper article with regard to banning all snowmobile use on Crown lands in British Columbia, The Association of British Columbia Snowmobile Clubs felt it necessary to respond again to these current comments.

Recreational snowmobilers have been accessing the backcountry of British Columbia over the past 45 years, and have been doing so in a very safe and responsible manner.

When one considers the number of recreational snowmobilers in the backcountry on any given weekend as opposed to other users, the incident of injury and death associated with the sport is VERY low.

That is not too suggest that any injury or death is acceptable, nor that some may not be avoidable, but it does suggest that most snowmobilers are very responsible when indulging in their sport and that these incidents are accidents which can be associated with any form of backcountry recreation.

The British Columbia snowmobile community holds our right to recreate in the British Columbia backcountry as close to our hearts as our American neighbours hold the "Right to Bear Arms" to theirs.

The BC snowmobile community has recently been under attack by an organization that is only seeking support for their own agenda, which would appear to be one of exclusive control of public lands, at little cost to themselves or benefit to the taxpayer, or the hundreds of communities throughout British Columbia who benefit greatly through recreational snowmobiling, and they have ventured on their mission to accomplish this end in a less than stellar or forthright manner.

The main focus of the unwarranted attack on the recreational snowmobile community is on the unfortunate loss of life this year due to a very unusual avalanche season, but there is no reference to other seasons where large numbers of other backcountry recreasionists lost there lives under similar circumstances.

In the latest segment of this ongoing saga, those indulging in these attacks are now proposing recommendations to restrict all further snowmobile access on Crown lands until government adopts the recommendations this group are proposing.

The latest news article has included statements noting the hardships they have incurred in rescue operations this year as they "had four rescues this winter that involved our entire operation". One would have to question this as they go on to suggest that their entire operation consists of 180 employees, with an additional 50 people as support staff!!

They don't mention the possibility of having being reimbursed in some manner for these activities through the Provincial Emergency Program or the BC Coroners Service...

They don't mention any accidents or loss of life associated with their organization and related activities...

They simply identify these snowmobile incidents as "madness" and state that they are "saving snowmobilers from themselves"!

Anyone who chooses to recreate in the British Columbia backcountry realizes there are inherent risks associated with this, and especially in mountainous terrain. These risks are even more elevated during the winter months. Most backcountry recreasionists identify with these risks, and some may choose to venture on at any rate, having considered the potential consequences. Ice Climbers and Backcountry Skiers have been doing it for years, but we haven't seen a call to ban these activities.

"Over the past 30 years (1978-2007), avalanches have been responsible for 329 deaths in Canada, with a recent rate of 14 deaths per year. Avalanches kill a disproportionate number of young people, with victims most commonly being in their 20s. Outdoor recreation accounts for 92% of avalanche deaths in Canada, and 88% of deaths occur in the provinces of British Columbia and Alberta". (1)

Of the avalanche fatalities cited above, Backcountry Skiers represented 30%, Ice climbers 6%, Out of bounds skiers 18%; Snowmobilers represented 22% of the fatalities, whereas helicat skiers represented 21%. (1)

(1)  (Patterns of death among avalanche fatalities: a 21-year review-Jeff Boyd, MBBS, Pascal Haegeli, PhD, Riyad B. Abu-Laban, MD MHSc, Michael Shuster, MD and John C. Butt, MD CM)

If there is any suggestion to close the backcountry to recreational snowmobiling, statistics suggest that we should equally consider closing it to the Helicat Ski Industry and Backcountry skiers as they have a MUCH higher percentage of fatalities relative to the numbers recreating in our backcountry at any given time throughout the winter season. (Statistics suggest that Helicat skiers operated for approximately 88,000 skier days, Canada wide, in 2006/2007, whereas recreational snowmobilers operated for approximately 350,000 snowmobiler days in BC alone during the same period.)

The recreational snowmobile community realises how ridiculous a suggestion to close our backcountry to any user group would be, and would be ashamed to be a supporter of any proposal along these lines.

The foregoing being said, it must be pointed out that the greatest majority of Helicat ski operators, Commercial snowmobile operators, Backcountry skiers and Recreational snowmobilers coexist in the backcountry with a minimum of conflicts overall, and are supportive of each other's activities.

If any group wishes exclusive control of specific areas in our backcountry; BUY THE LAND AND IMPOSE ALL OF THE RESTRICTIONS YOU WISH.

As long as it is Crown land, work in cooperation and harmony with the other users; the citizens and guests of British Columbia!

We all have a right to share the use of our Crown lands.

Snowmobile Clubs

Box 48

Valemount, BC

V0E 2Z0