The four made up a confident crew. All were experienced skiers who were prepared to take on the risks of dangerous terrain. As a member of the Grouse Mountain pro team, Haywood was under pressure to produce short, made-for-internet video parts that would be used to promote the mountain. During his contract discussions he had warned an official that he and his crew may occasionally duck out of bounds.

Graham Haywood in the Grouse backcountry (2007)

"I had a conversation with a senior Grouse management person and told him I wished to ski the backside of the mountain this year," recalled Haywood. "I was given permission, as long as I kept it quiet."

With moderate conditions improving the four decided it was time to get some work done. They waited until it appeared that no one else was watching and then ducked a familiar rope. They were soon in a zone of 25 to 30 degree slopes which they had studied and explored during the off-season. The terrain was ideal for filming and they had mapped safe access and exit points which could easily be recognized. All four were comfortable being there.

"We had ridden the area many times in the past and were equipped with avalanche and touring gear," said Nixon. "I personally spend 50+ days in the backcountry/side country each year and a great deal of discussion and research takes place before every day on snow."

The four took a short break for lunch and then started to make their way down. About half way through the run Petsnick spotted an RCMP helicopter circling overhead. When they reached the bottom of the run the heli approached them and used a megaphone to order the skiers to return to area boundaries. After some protest they agreed to hike back inbounds where they were to report to ski patrol. The four made it to one of their mapped exit points where Grouse patrol was waiting. From there they were escorted off of the mountain.

It was a bad time to be seen skiing out of bounds. There was an increased sense of alert around the province after three tragic events had rocked Whistler, Blackcomb, and Fernie. All in all avalanches had claimed ten lives in the previous two weeks, and backcountry skiing and snowboarding was at the forefront of the news in British Columbia. Local CTV was apparently tipped off about what was happening and had cameras waiting for the four when they arrived at the base.

With the situation then in the public eye, Grouse management took an aggressive approach. They turned their back on Haywood, stripping him and the other three skiers of their season passes and indefinitely banning them from the resort. Management has since taken it a step further, sending the four a $1200 bill to cover the cost of what they are calling their "rescue effort". Meanwhile North Shore Rescue, who coordinated the heli search, has refused to send a similar bill.