Stay safe during winter activities

With cool, snowy weather hitting the Lower Mainland, many people are getting out to enjoy some popular winter activities.

On Sunday, the sun was out and dozens of Vancouverites could be seen skating and walking across Trout Lake. Many brought their four-legged friends, who joined in the fun, playing fetch out on the ice.

“I was here yesterday, and there were only about four people out on the ice — a son and dad and two adults,” said one local out enjoying the fun. “I come today with my two dogs and boom! At one o’clock there were like 600 people out here!”

Several people at the lake told The Leader Spirit they felt the ice was thick enough to go on and they felt safe, but the City of Vancouver says this is not a good idea.

“Although it is very cold, the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation does not recommend skating on any ponds or lakes due to a variety of safety reasons,” it said.

Over at Coquitlam’s Como Lake, a sole skater could be seen testing out the ice in the afternoon, despite the warnings posted around the lake.

The City of Coquitlam cautions park-goers that it will post a notice at the lake if it’s safe to skate on. If there’s no visible notice posted, it says, assume the ice is not safe and don’t go out on it.

And when it comes to other outdoor activities, Mike Danks with North Shore Rescue wants to remind everyone to plan ahead and to be safe.

“You get up into the mountains and it’s a different story,” he said. “The temperature drops, the terrain is not prepared and salted like it is in town, you need to have the right footwear, and in the winter, you need tools that are reflective of the weather. We get really busy out when we have nice conditions.”

Last week, North Shore Rescue was called in to save two skiers who got stuck in a creek in Whistler. Danks warns that when you are out on the mountains, you should carry extra batteries for phones, a light source for when it gets dark out, and water.

And if you plan on backcountry skiing, be extra prepared.

“If you’re going into a place with no cell signal, carrying a satellite device can be a matter of life or death,” he said.

Danks says to check out the North Shore Rescue website for tips on how to be safe when navigating the mountains.

“I encourage people who are new to skiing, snowshoeing, and hiking to go with someone with experience and not alone,” he said.