Avalanche News - 2006

BRP Integrates Avalanche Rescue Technology Into Ski-Doo Clothing

MARCH 4, 2006 - 10:30 ET

DALLAS, TEXAS--(CCNMatthews - March 4, 2006) - Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP) is launching the revolutionary 2007 Ski-Doo® mountain light shell jacket and high pants that both include reflectors for the RECCO® avalanche rescue system. BRP is the first snowmobile company to include avalanche safety technology in its riding gear.

The RECCO system is utilized by 440 rescue organizations worldwide to facilitate the rapid location of burials. The two-part system consists of a detector used by organized rescue groups and the reflectors, which are integrated into the apparel. Together, they enable directional pinpointing of a victim's precise location using harmonic radar.

While not a substitute for a transceiver, probe, shovel and most importantly, avalanche education and good sense, the RECCO system facilitates a faster organized search and increases the chance of being found in time.

"We care about our customers, and want them to be as safe as possible," said Pierre Arsenault, Vice-president, snowmobiles, watercraft, ATVs and sport boats, BRP. "Adding the RECCO system to our Mountain Light gear is a perfect example of how we're constantly adding innovations to make our products more functional, stylish, and safe."

"I think it is great when companies embrace safety technology such as RECCO," said Dale Atkins, Avalanche forecaster at the Colorado Avalanche Information Centre. "It shows that there is an awareness of the potential dangers, and that they are doing something to help their customers be aware and be safer when they are out in the mountains."

The new 2007 Mountain Light Shell Jacket (MSRP: $329.99 CDN; $269.99 USD) and Mountain Light High pants (MSRP: $359.99 CDN; $299.99 USD) will be available only at authorized Ski-Doo dealers this fall.

First introduced in 1983, RECCO technology was developed by Magnus Granhed with the cooperation of Stockholm's Royal Institute of Technology in response to his personal experience with avalanche tragedy. Since then, the system has proven effective in the field and has been adopted globally by ski resorts, helicopter skiing operations and search-and-rescue organizations as an additional tool for avalanche rescue.

BRP, a privately-held company, is a world leader in the design, development, manufacturing, distribution and marketing of motorised recreational vehicles. Its portfolio of brands and products includes: Ski-Doo® and LynxTM snowmobiles, Sea-Doo® watercraft and sport boats, Johnson® and Evinrude® outboard engines, direct injection technologies such as Evinrude E-TEC®, Bombardier(i) all-terrain vehicles (ATV), Rotax® engines and karts.

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