More than 20 skiers and riders had to be rescued in frigid temperatures Saturday afternoon after getting lost in the Killington backcountry.
According to a release from the Killington Police Department, troopers were notified of what was reported to be “7-9 lost skiers/snowboarders in the backcountry” at around 2:30 Saturday afternoon. However, after speaking with Vermont State Police Search and Rescue team, it was determined that there were a total of 21 lost individuals, six of whom were minors.
Twelve members of Killington’s own search and rescue team hiked, snowshoed, and skinned approximately five miles to assist in evaluating and bringing those lost back to safety. As the team was ready to clear, an additional call came in for two more skiers who were lost in the backcountry. Six Killington Search and Rescue team members returned to the woods and made contact with and walked them out to safety at approximately 7:30 p.m.
“A special thanks should be given to all the volunteers who responded and worked this call,” Killington police said in the release.