Residents and visitors called Whistler Search and Rescue (WSAR) fewer times this year.
According to WSAR’s manager’s report covering March 1, 2024, to March 3, 2025, the team responded to 14-per-cent fewer incidents in 2024-25. The decline bucks a four-year trend of increased call-outs. Last year, WSAR received 110 requests for help and mobilized 92 times. In 2024-25, the team was called 90 times. In 13 of those cases, WSAR was able to instruct people to self-rescue, while the remaining 73 calls required team mobilization
Brad Sills, president of WSAR, said self-rescue is sometimes possible because of technology and the conditions stranded outdoor enthusiasts find themselves in.
“Increasingly, people call for help, and when we discuss the situation, we realize we can resolve it without deploying a team," he said. "They’re tired, scared, don’t know where they are, but we can forward a mapping app to their phone that shows us their location in real time."
SAR members also provide medical instruction over the phone for symptoms such as fatigue, muscle strain, dehydration, and nausea, while offering reassurance as callers navigate their way to safety with WSAR’s guidance, according to the report.
Seasonal trends
Call volumes varied by month compared to the previous year, with winter months seeing a dip.
In February 2023-24, WSAR responded to 19 calls. That number dropped to nine in 2024-25. January saw a similar decline, with 14 calls last year compared to five this year.
Summer months continued to see high call volumes, with 14 calls in July, up by two from last year, and 14 in August, an increase of one.
Calls in September, November, and December increased compared to the previous year, with nine, three, and four calls, respectively—rising by four, three, and two.
“The distribution of call volume over the months was significantly different, with only the two summer months remaining consistent with previous years,” the report stated.
Sills suggested two factors might explain the overall decrease in call volumes this season.
“Winter hasn’t been great—the biggest falloff was in March and January. That’s one factor," he said. "The other is the changing demographic that Whistler attracts. We were a centre for high-end skiing and adventure, but now, because of price points, people are going elsewhere for the same product. The resort is increasingly expensive, so we’re seeing fewer tourists who engage in adventure sports outside controlled recreational areas."
Whistler Search and Rescue call characteristics
WSAR assisted 111 individuals in emergencies over the past year.
By activity, hikers accounted for the greatest proportion of search subjects, with WSAR responding to 27 calls involving hikers. Other incidents included:
- Ski mountaineers (tourers): 9
- Mountain biking: 7
- Snowmobiling and climbing: 3 each
- Snowshoeing: 4
- Out-of-bounds skiing: 14
- Avalanche response: 4
- Commercial operators: 1
No calls were recorded for out-of-bounds snowboarding, inland water rescues, paragliding, road rescues, mushroom pickers, trail runners, missing persons, or despondent individuals.
By location, the Garibaldi Lake area had the highest number of responses at 17. Sills attributed this to the high volume of hikers and the vast hikeable terrain in the area.
Whistler’s backside had the second-highest call volume at 12, followed closely by the Spearhead Range with 11. The Wedge/Weart area saw eight responses. While backcountry excursions make up the bulk of WSAR responses, the team also responded to seven incidents within the Resort Municipality of Whistler. Other areas of response included Powder, Sprout, and Rainbow mountains, Callaghan Valley, Pemberton Search and Rescue, and Squamish Search and Rescue.
There were two fatalities: one on the Armchair Traverse and another involving a mountain biker.
Helicopter and medical evacuations
WSAR counted 18 search and assistance responses in the report, with 13 requiring helicopter use. Non-technical helicopter responses occurred 13 times, while medical evacuations by helicopter took place 21 times. These evacuations were categorized as follows:
- Chest injuries: 2
- Head/spinal injuries: 3
- Leg injuries: 4
- Arm injuries: 2
Ground medical evacuations occurred six times, including:
- Knee injuries: 6
- Shoulder injuries: 2
- Fatigue, stings, or cramps: 3
There were 10 Class D Fixed Line rescues using the Helicopter External Transport System, and WSAR also conducted four avalanche response operations.
Shifting demographics and gender trends
The gender breakdown of subjects assisted was 64 men and 47 women.
“The trend of gender equalization in outdoor recreation mishaps seems to be continuing. The same appears to be true for the overall age distribution of subjects. Ten years ago, call volume was more heavily weighted toward young males aged 15 to 25,” the report stated.
Meanwhile, in the past year, WSAR recorded 6,074 volunteer hours across responses and training exercises.
Read more at whistlersar.com.
