Avalanches abound with warm weather

Thirteen people have been killed in avalanches in Canada since early December. All but one of the deaths were snowmobilers, raising questions about the awareness of some snowmobilers about avalanche safety. All the deaths have been in B.C.

'Krazy Canadian' snowmobiler Dan Davidoff killed in B.C. avalanche

March 15– His last post to Facebook was "Norm. Look I can fly, Lol." and he was famous for doing just that with his high-powered machines.

But sometime on Monday while out in the mountains alone, extreme snowmobiler Dan Davidoff, 45, was buried in an avalanche near his home in Castlegar and did not survive, the B.C. Coroners Service has confirmed. Davidoff  was one of three snowmobilers who died on Monday.  

On Tuesday, officials confirmed two Alberta snowmobilers died Monday in an avalanche near an unnamed peak about 30 kilometres southwest of Blue River. Five other snowmobilers in the group survived the incident near Wells Grey Provincial Park and were able to dig the men out, but efforts to revive them failed. 

Both men killed in Blue River, B.C., avalanche from Sherwood Park

At 5:45 p.m. Monday, March 14, Clearwater RCMP received a call from a group of snowmobilers that an avalanche had buried two men from their group 30 kilometres southwest of Blue River.

Five of the seven snowmobilers escaped the avalanche.

Avalanche takes life of Celista man

An avalanche has taken the life of a yet another snowmobiler – the second in one week. Chase RCMP have confirmed that a 38-year-old male sledder from Celista died as a result of an avalanche in the Crowfoot Mountain recreational area on Sunday March 13.

Snowmobiler who died in Sicamous-area avalanche identified

SICAMOUS - The B.C. Coroners Service has identified the man who died in an avalanche near Sicamous last week (early Mar.). When Kevin James Oystryk, 34, of Sicamous failed to return from a planned day of snowmobiling in the Owl's head recreation area near Morton Lake he was reported missing. The 34-year-old overdue snowmobiler was found dead at an avalanche slide in the Morton Lake area of the Owl’s head Recreation area after being reported missing by his family around 2:20 a.m. today, March 8, Sicamous RCMP confirmed this afternoon. He was last seen Sunday afternoon by a fellow snowmobiler.

2 snowmobilers confirmed dead in B.C. avalanche

2 other men overdue near Radium Hot Springs have been located safely

CBC.ca

Two snowmobilers have been killed in an avalanche in B.C., bringing the total number of snowmobilers

killed in avalanches in the province this winter to 12 ...

Sicamous man's body pulled from avalanche slide

Globalnews.ca

SICAMOUS — A snowmobiler that was reported missing earlyTuesday morning has been found dead, according to Sicamous RCMP. Police say the ...

UPDATE: Body of missing Sicamous snowmobiler recovered from avalanche slide -InfoTel News Ltd

Overdue snowmobiler found dead near Sicamous - CFJC Today Kamloops, British Columbia

Avalanche near McBride kills 5 snowmobilers

'Very large, significant avalanche event' reported in North Rockies

RCMP say they were notified of two separate GPS beacon activations in the Renshaw area east of McBride around 1:30 p.m. PT, at which point they activated the Robson Valley Search and Rescue

Powerful machines used as toys

Team.

There were at least three separate groups of snowmobilers caught in the slide, say RCMP. Six to eight people lost their snowmobiles and had to be shuttled off the mountain.

Sadly, they were prepared, BUT...

The airbags designed to "float" someone along the surface of a moving avalanche but were ineffective because the victims were in a gully at the bottom of a slope - an area where the debris flow of the avalanche is too constricted. A total of 17 snowmobilers were in the Mount Renshaw Alpine Recreation Site on Jan. 29 when the avalanche hit. 

Most avalanche incidents involved fast, powerful machines, which trigger the event. 

Snowmobiler dies in avalanche

Vancouver Sun January, 2016

Snowmobiler dies in avalanche near Prince George ... RCMP in Prince George say a group of five snowmobilers was riding in the remote Torpy ... this weekend, though its advisory didn't apply to the region where the death occurred. 

10 Die in Western USA Avalanches in 10 Days

ABC News 

Jan. 25 Ten people have died in avalanches across the West in the last 10 days, making this month the deadliest January for slides in nearly 20 years. 

Eleven people have died in slides throughout the whole month, including four over the weekend, for a total of 14 so far this snow season, according to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center, which tracks slides across the country.

It's sledding season –hold on to your hats: snowmobile incidents 2015

Noelville man dies in snowmobile crash 

Provincial police say Jeffery Pockele (40) was driving a snow machine on an Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs trail off of Prevost Road in Noelville when he lost control and was thrown from the machine. He was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead. Police said speed and alcohol are believed to be factors in the crash. The investigation into the crash continues.

Quebec snowmobile deaths at 7-year high CBC.ca On Saturday, a 42-year-old man died in hospital after his snowmobile ... young man in St-Zénon · ​Alma snowmobile crash leaves 1 dead, 3 injured ...

OPP News Briefs: Snowmobile crash in Tiny Township

(February 28 GEORGIAN BAY) Members of the Southern Georgian Bay Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) were dispatched at 10:20am February 27, 2015 to a report of a single snowmobile crash on the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) # 304 trail.

Ottawa Mayor not immune

I don't know why these things happen. What a shame. He's a busy, engaged mayor. These machines can be deadly. Feb. 28th

Mayor Jim Watson suffers pelvic fracture at snowmobiling event

Mayor Jim Watson suffered a pelvic fracture while participating in a community...

OTTAWACITIZEN.COM

Peterborough Examiner County man killed in snowmobile crash Peterborough Examiner - Thursday, Feb. 19 A 36-year-old Peterborough County man was killed in a collision between a snowmobile ... The woman was transported to hospital as a precaution.

Osgoode man dead after snowmobile crash

Mon., Feb. 16th 2015

Slow down, people.
Somebody out there loves you.

 An Osgoode, Ontario man is dead after a snowmobile crash on a trail crossing the Garrison Petawawa Canadian Forces base northwest of Petawawa.

OFSC Trail Viewer

1. 

Ontario teacher killed in snowmobile accident 

Feb. 10, 015

Another sledder loses her life. She leaves two young kids.
Deidre “Dee” Urso (Paulin), 27, died after the snowmobile on which she was riding in the Byng Inlet area crashed into a steel pole used to secure docking systems in the summer.

Snowmobile driver drowns in Ottawa River
Two Snowmobile Death Last Saturday Night

A snowmobile driver in his 30s drowned Saturday night, Jan. 31st, in the Ottawa River near Vaudreuil-Dorion, in the Montérégie.

 Another (age 48), in Estrie, Quebec, lost control Saturday night at midnight- taking a turn too fast and losing control.

Manitoba man killed in snowmobile crash 

 A 34-year-old Lorette man was killed when he crashed his snowmobile into an embankment at 1:30 a.m.. Sunday, Jan. 19, 2015.

In Saskatchewan, two teens (15 and 19) were drinking and smashed into one another:

1. 
   

   Sledders collect donations for families of teens killed in snowmobile ...

   Globalnews.ca-Jan 18, 2015Share

   “The people that are getting into accidents and fatalities aren't enrolling in the safety course, and we also know from statistics that the leading ...
2. 
   

Sledding season from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.
The rivers, on the straight and narrow, are great for skating and sledding. Someone in this community clears it off! This is near Richmond.
Someone went through the ice, on the Ottawa River, though. I'd be paranoid.

First incidents of 2015 - winter is here!

Ice skating on lakes from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.
It's not safe everywhere in Ontario, especially on bigger lakes, in the south. Emergency crews were called shortly after midnight Thursday to the area of Grigg's Island on Jack Lake after getting reports that two snowmobiles seen travelling on the ice had suddenly disappeared. Two men and two women were found safe having walked to a cottage.

file photo!

PETERBOROUGH, Ont. -- Provincial police say four snowmobilers escaped injury after falling through the ice on a lake northeast of Peterborough. Emergency crews were called shortly after midnight Thursday to the area of Grigg's Island on Jack Lake after getting reports that two snowmobiles seen travelling on the ice had suddenly disappeared.

Marc Messier ‏@OttawaFirePIO  Thursday, Jan. 1st1 hour agoOttawa, Ontario

Canoe from last nights rescue remains on the broken ice of #ottawa river behind Supreme Court. #ottnews

Way to bring in the new year!

@JMcKayphoto: Major accident closed EB Hwy - 401 in Odessa

@_GigiR: @ygktraffic diverting cars off the 401 EB at Camden Road

511Ontario ‏@511Ontario  28m28 minutes ago

Update: White River: #HWY17-all lanes remain closed in both directions from #HWY101- Wawa to #HWY563 #Batchawana due to weather conditions

Snowmobile incidents in Canada

Such a needless loss of life. Families must be devastated. The drivers who survive must feel awful, should quit drinking.

All around, stick to OFSC trails, follow simple guidelines, get some OFSC trail training. If you know someone is driving without a licence, they should be reported.

UPDATE: Person dies in third snowmobile fatality this winter

Mar. 7 –The man was identified as Robert Gagnon of South Glengarry Township. Police say the man was operating his MXZ Ski Doo north bound when he failed to "negotiate a bend in the trail" and struck a tree.

N.B. riders urged to be careful after 4th snowmobile-related death

MACTAQUAC, N.B. – New Brunswick riders are being reminded to take caution after the province’s fourth snowmobile-related death this year.

On March 3,  a 43-year-old man died when he missed a turn and struck a power pole guide wire.

Man, 21, dies in South Glengarry snowmobile accident

OTTAWA —Mar. 2nd, 2014
 Police are investigating the death of a 21-year-old man who was killed in a snowmobile accident in the South Glengarry area early Sunday. Alex Miller was killed when he hit a pole while riding as a passenger on the machine. The incident took place at about 4:30 a.m. on Country Road 2, near 4th Line Road.

Too many involve drinking, speed and late-night or wee hours of the morning treks.

1 dead, others hurt in 3 weekend snowmobile crashes

On Feb. 11, police charged a 22-year-old South Stormont man after his loss of control of a snowmobile resulted in two people being ejected, one of whom, Daniel Andres, 21, also of South Stormont, died when he hit a tree.

1. City woman 13th snowmobile victim

   Feb 24, 2014 - A 53-year-old St. Thomas woman is the 13th person to be killed in a snowmobile accident this season in OPP-patrolled Ontario.
2. 1. 
      

      Two dead and one in life-threatening condition after snowmobile ...

      
      

      Dec 27, 2013 - A snowmobile collision in Niagara has left two males dead and one female in ... evening in the Welland Canals Parkway Trail north of Thorold, Ontario. Niagara Police discovered three individuals involved in the accident after responding to a call. Police say the collision was caused by a tree that had recently fallen on the pathway.

High marking, sledding, skiing, avalanche, ATV deaths

The statistics bear us out. Whether you are on a snowmobiles, skiing, high marking, or on an ATV, stay on the trails, especially in recent years with Climate Change causing thaws, and extreme conditions.

• More than 5,600 Canadians seriously injured every year from winter ...
• Avalanches kill more snowmobilers than skiers - Canada
• Snowmobile-related deaths in Ontario: a 5-year review - Canadian ...

OPP remind snowmobilers about safety after five fatalities this season 2013/4- Lake 88

All five of the fatalities took place on roads and the OPP is reminding snowmobilers to always travel at speeds which take into consideration not only their ability as an operator, but also the weather and surface conditions in the areas in which they are travelling.

I must believe these to be self-inflicted deaths. People who love that adrenalin rush over and above  their love for self, family, and friends cause much grief.

We begin with Shumacher: Family and friends at bedside of comatose Michael Shumacher, who chose to leave the marked trail, hits his head on a rock, and is currently in a coma.
Then we have avalanche deaths. High marking is a challenge to go as high as you can.
This is the way they celebrate speed and power. This is the price their families will pay. They call it Sled Shot. Boys and their toys...   can see the chaos, the machines, the speed.


Sledding at the speed of suicide

ATV accidents or incidents?

Reported Injuries: 7 | Deaths: 5
April 19/2010

Snowmobile speed, safety issues, economic impact

Snowmobile speeds in Ontario:

The maximum speed on OFSC trails is 50km/hour. 

This is what sledders agree to when they go on the trails, having bought a trail permit:

Assumptions for OFSC trail use.

The OFSC wants you to Take It Easy and to return home safely. Please take the time to review laws you should know, safety tips , Code of Ethics.

system of signals

There is a very simple system of signals that all snowmobilers should know and use when riding on the trails. These hand signals have been approved by the Canadian Council of Snowmobile Organizations, and they allow you to convey essential information to other snowmobilers who are following or approaching you.

North American Snowmachine Facts
The average age of a snowmobiler is 41 years old (2012)
The average family income of sledders is $68,000/year.
Many clubs raise money for local causes, $3 million for charities in 2011/12.
There were 1.4 million registered machines in the US, and 593,248 in Canada in 2012.

The Economic Impact of Snowmobiling:
* United States - $23 billion annually
* Canada - $7 billion annually
* Europe & Russia - $4 billion annually

Did you know that snowmobiles are a Canadian Invention? 
Joseph-Armand Bombardier invented the first snow machine in 1922, when he was 15 years old.

Lined up outside the pub

Quite the team sport

 

Sledding on the road, Bala, ON

Note the tracks in and out of this open water.
Puddle jumping!

Oops?

In the pub, drinking

Highmarking 

- Safe Riders Snowmobile Safety Awareness Program

Ontario Federation of 

Snowmobile Clubs

Highmarking accounts for more than 63 percent of the avalanche fatalities involving snowmobilers in North America. Tracks on a slope do not mean that a slope is safe.

Of course, the most common incidents are the avalanches out west, where the snow is fragile, susceptible to the loud machines, and where sledders like high marking.

snowmobile caught in avalanche - YouTube

► 0:39► 0:39

www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IItP7dVoYc

Apr 3, 2008 - Uploaded by stratician

Two people get caught in an avalanche when snowmobiling at Three Ladies, B.C Canada, March 22nd 2008 ...

insane snowmobile high mark ! - YouTube

► 0:51► 0:51

Apr 20, 2008 - Uploaded by 440sixpack

sigs high mark on polaris 900. at the top of high mark it was almost verticle. no one passed his on thet day it

Death in Quebec Jan. 12, 2013

Québec.com: Snowmobiling

A snowmobiler was on the trail at 10:00 at night. Driving too fast to stop or avoid the moose, he hit his head while trying to drive under said moose. He died of head injuries.

This is the 7th sledder to die in Quebec this winter.

Bonjour Québec.com: Snowmobiling safety tips

What the law says in Quebec:

• 
  
• Wearing a safety helmet is mandatory.
• The minimum age for operating a snowmobile is 16. 
• Except as provided in the Act respecting off-highway vehicles, it is illegal to operate a snowmobile on public roads.
• It is illegal to ride within 30 m (100 ft.) of a dwelling, a health establishment, or an area that is reserved for cultural, educational, or sports activities. 
• Trail security officers are volunteers who patrol the trails in order to increase awareness of the importance of obeying the law. Their work requires know-how and dedication, and they deserve your respect and your complete cooperation.
• The speed limit for snowmobiles is 70 km/h (43 mph). Within 30 m (100 ft.) of a dwelling, the speed limit is reduced to 30 km/h (19 mph).

• 
  Snowmobile-related deaths in Ontario: a 5-year review

  CMAJ January 15, 1992 vol. 146 no. 2
  Fatal accidents occurred more often on lakes (in 66% of the cases in which this information was known) than on roads (in 26%) or trails (in 8%). Weekend fatalities predominated, and deaths occurred most often during times of suboptimal lighting (from 4 pm to 8 am). The driver was killed in 84% of the cases in which the person's role was known. Alcohol use before death was implicated in 69% of the cases, the level exceeding the Ontario legal limit in 59%. CONCLUSION: Snowmobile-related deaths result from factors that are generally avoidable. Strategies need to be instituted to reduce the rate of these events.