Slopes on Mount Washington and other B.C. hills, along with backcountry runs, are expected to be busy over the Family Day long weekend. (Dreamstime)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

stay safe

Injury prevention key for Island skiers and snowboarders over long weekend

Feb 17, 2023 | 4:14 PM

NANAIMO — It’s one of the final long weekends of the cooler winter months, prime opportunity for skiers and snowboarders to ‘shred some pow’ one last time.

However health officials are urging caution in a bid to keep as many people out of local medical facilities with preventable injuries as possible.

Neil Arason, Island Health’s lead for injury prevention, said this weekend will see more people out on area slopes, mountains and backcountry corridors.

“Every year on Vancouver Island, we have about 30 serious injuries, overnight hospitalizations but many more emergency department visits, clinic visits and potential for death too. In the province, we have about 10 deaths of skiers and snowboarders each year.”

The advice to plan ahead, take it easy and not take unnecessary risks is not only self-serving for health and preservation but solid advice for the wider good of the community.

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Hospitals continue operating at or above capacity across the region.

“When we avoid injuries, obviously people are better off, they don’t want to be injured and suffer the consequences often long term as well, it can take months and months sometimes.”

Arason advises those heading out to have a plan, prepare for different scenarios and stick together in a group.

Using a helmet, travelling in pairs and sticking to monitored and groomed areas are all ways to reduce risk of injury or other harm. He said carrying a whistle is a great way to attract attention in the event of an emergency, when phones or other devices might not work.

“Wearing lots of clothing, layers of clothing because something could happen up there and you could get stuck in a ski lift, or be injured and end up there a lot longer than you think or were planning.”

Impairment through drugs and alcohol are also potential issues when in the great outdoors.

Avalanche Canada’s latest forecast for Vancouver Island is moderate, or a two on their 5-step scale. It advises of “heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features”.

Over recent weeks, at least five people have been killed in avalanche-related incidents across B.C.

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