The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue were called out again to deal with a skier and snowboarder that became lost after leaving the Snowbowl Ski area. Searchers used the 911coordinates from when the Phoenix residents called for help to locate them, which was in the Viet Springs area on top of a cliff. Searchers hiked in, gave the pair some water and snowshoes and then walked them to their family members on Snowbowl Road. Officials say neither one of them was prepared for conditions outside of the ski area boundary. The area was under a winter storm warning at the time, which made the conditions potentially more hazardous for both the subjects of the search mission and the rescuers. Skiers and snowboarders who plan to exit the ski area and ski or ride in the backcountry are required to have a free Kachina Peaks Winter Backcountry Permit issued by the Coconino National Forest. With the upcoming winter storm, skiers and snowboarders will be tempted to exit the ski area boundary to ski or ride in the backcountry. A large amount of snow over a short period of time presents a potential avalanche hazard.
