Industry News
The body of Connor Gill, a 26-year-old snowboarder from the Denver area, was found on Vail Mountain on February 28, ending a two-week search effort. Gill had been missing since February 14, when he was last seen boarding the Avanti Express chairlift around 9 a.m.
Eagle County Coroner Kara Bettis confirmed the identity of the body on Monday, March 3. The cause of death and exact location of discovery are still under investigation, according to Eagle County Chief Deputy Coroner McKenna Peoples.
Extreme weather conditions severely hampered the search for Gill. In the week following Gill’s disappearance, a powerful winter storm dumped over 50 inches of snow on Vail Mountain, with 27 inches falling in just 48 hours. Wind gusts up to 40 mph further complicated rescue efforts, limiting the use of search dogs and drones.
The Avanti Express Lift at Vail Mountain provides access to beginner, intermediate, and some advanced runs, including the Avanti Skills Zone and entry-level Avanti Park. It also serves as a connector to other areas of the mountain, including the Back Bowls.
Beth Howard, Vail Mountain Chief Operating Officer, expressed condolences to Gill’s family and friends, stating, “We appreciate all of the rescue agencies who conducted this search alongside Vail Ski Patrol.”
The extensive search operation involved more than a dozen local and federal agencies, including Vail Ski Patrol and Vail Mountain Leadership, Eagle County Sheriff’s Office, Vail Mountain Rescue, Vail Police Department, Vail Public Safety Communications Center, Beaver Creek Ski Patrol, Breckenridge Ski Patrol, Keystone Ski Patrol, Aspen Mountain Ski Patrol, Summit County Rescue Group, Mountain Rescue Aspen, Lake County Search and Rescue, Garfield County Search and Rescue, Colorado Search and Rescue Association, United States Forest Service.
