Snowmobile seizures contemplated in B.C.

Snowmobilers who endanger the lives of others may see their sleds seized by authorities, under legislation proposed by B.C. Tourism Minister Kevin Krueger.

The legislation would attempt to prevent tragedies such as the one near Revelstoke on March 13, when two Alberta men died in an avalanche believed to have been triggered by an activity called high-marking.

In high-marking, snowmobilers compete to get farthest up a steep slope, leaving behind track marks in the snow.

"I think that this extremely risk behaviour … especially if it's done in an area where other people are put at risk, should be the target of severe sanctions," Krueger said in Victoria on Monday.

The March slide could easily have taken the lives of the 200 people watching the high-marking event near Revelstoke, he said.

The legislation targeting snowmobilers may be similar to a law that lets authorities seize property obtained through crime, he said.

Kurtis Reynolds of Strathmore and Shay Snortland of Lacombe, both 33, were killed and three other people were seriously injured in the avalanche.

The RCMP announced April 29 that no charges would be laid in connection with the slide.