BY KAREN BOSSICK
Ketchum and Sun Valley fire departments’ joint Backcountry Medical Rescue Team helped transport an injured skier from Billy’s Bridge on Friday.
The 68-year-old woman fractured her hip when she fell on a steep hill near the intersection of the north and south loops of the groomed Nordic area 17 miles north of Ketchum.
Two Blaine County Recreation District ski patrollers--Susan Giannettino and Jim Keller--tended to the woman while they awaited assistance.
They provided warm clothing and gloves to keep the woman warm in freezing temperatures while awaiting the backcountry rescue trailer and rescue snowmobilers.
The woman was transported to St. Luke’s Wood River just before 3 p.m. and reported in stable condition.
The incident showed the value of carrying extra warm clothing even during a short ski jaunt, said Giannettino.