Police search for missing 68-year-old skier at B.C.'s Sun Peaks resort
Tomasz Jaholkowski was last known to have checked into a new ski area at edge of resort boundaries
Search crews are looking for a missing skier last seen at the Sun Peaks resort near Kamloops, B.C.
The Tk'emlúps Rural RCMP Detachment said it had received a missing person's report for Tomasz Jaholkowski, 68, whose last known movements were to check into a run at the resort around 11:35 a.m. PT Tuesday.
"Mr. Jaholkowski does not appear to have returned to his hotel room, nor has he been heard from since checking into the run on Tuesday," said Kamloops RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Crystal Evelyn in a news release.
"We are very concerned for his well-being and are asking anyone who may have seen him or has information on his potential whereabouts, to please contact police as soon as possible."
Officials say the search for Jaholkowski is both in and out of bounds, as it is not known where he went after leaving the lift.
Police said RCMP members, search and rescue volunteers, and Sun Peaks patrol are all looking for Jaholkowski with the help of helicopters and drones.
He's described as five feet 10 inches tall, weighing about 180 pounds, with grey hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a red and black ski jacket, dark ski pants and a dark helmet.
Skiers urged to stay within resort boundaries
Sun Peaks spokesperson Christina Antoniak confirmed with CBC News that Jaholkowski last checked in at the West Bowl Express chairlift, a new lift that opened this season at the resort that offers skiers and snowboarders access to more terrain at the edge of the resort's boundaries.
Antoniak also said Jaholkowski is the third person to go missing from the area this year, though the other two were quickly found, both outside the resort's boundaries.
She said although there are already clear markings indicating the boundary's edges, Sun Peaks is reviewing whether more needs to be done to keep users in its ski area.
"The ski area boundary is double-roped. It's signed," she said. "[But] we are looking just to see if we need to increase the amount of public messaging. With that [new] chairlift in that area, I would say there's potentially a bit of an allure and accessibility, which is something we're talking about."
The resort remains open as the search is underway.
On its website, Sun Peaks recommends visitors stay within bounds for their safety. People who decide to go out of bounds are urged to not do so alone, to have avalanche training, and to carry equipment including a transceiver, shovel, probe, extra clothing, food and water, communication devices, and emergency supplies.
With files from Marcella Bernardo, Jen Norwell and Doug Herbert