Alberta snowmobilers rescued in Golden, B.C., face big bill and potential fines

Four snowmobilersface potential fines and a hefty rescue price tag after their machines gotstuck over the weekend in Glacier National Park, where snowmobiling is forbidden.

The four men three from Alberta andone from Saskatchewanbecame stranded in the national park near Golden, B.C., on Saturdayand needed to be rescued, according to Parks Canada.

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RCMPsaidthey were advised on Saturday that the group was stranded and required a helicopter to rescue them.

Instead, a search and rescue team from Golden headed out on snowmobiles and found the group of four, who were uninjured and waiting at an area cabin.

Const. SpencerLainchburysaidthe group is believed to have crossed into Glacier National Park when theygot stuck and were unable to get their snowmobiles out.

The snowmobiles were removed Tuesday morning by helicopter, said JacolynDaniluck,a communications officer with Glacier National Park, and the fourmen will have to pay for the cost of the extrication.

They may also be charged under the National Parks Act, which could bringfines as high as $25,000.

This is the third case of snowmobilers illegally entering Glacier National Parkpark this winter, according toDaniluck.

"As a world leader in conservation, Parks Canada is making sure that the parks are being kept safe and they are dedicated to the people of Canada," she said.

"We want them maintained and unimpaired for future generations,and motorized vehicles like snowmobiles can have a negative impact on the ecosystem."

DanilucksaidParks Canada is still investigating whetherthe sledders intentionally crossed into the national park.

Joanne Sweeting, Tourism Golden's executive director, playeddown the frequency of snowmobilers intruding on the restricted area.

"We welcome thousands of snowmobilers every year and without incident," she said."It's something that happens very rarely."