Body of Missing Sugar Bowl ,CA Ski Instructor Found Today Under 5-Feet of Snow

The body of Sugar Bowl ski instructor Carson May was found today by Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue & El Dorado County Search & Rescue dog teams.  Carson was found about 1/4 mile from the Sugar Bowl ski resort boundary in an avalanche prone area.  It’s very likely that Carson died in an avalanche on January 14th, 2016.

“The recovery was made roughly a ¼ mile out of bounds in an avalanche-prone area near the original search site.” – Sugar Bowl statement, today

PLACER COUNTRY SHERIFF STATEMENT:

“Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue team, along with El Dorado County Search and Rescue dog teams were training at Sugar Bowl Resort this afternoon and they found the body of missing skier Carson May.

Carson, 23, was a ski instructor at the resort and went missing Jan. 15. He was not found despite an intensive, four-day search.

Today, search dogs were taken to the spot where Carson’s cell phone was last “pinged” in January. His body was found under five-feet of snow.

Our condolences to the May family and our thanks go to all of the dozens of searchers who continued to search for Carson.” – Placer Country Sheriff, today

23-year-old Sugar Bowl ski instructor Carson May had been missing since January 14th, 2016 when he didn’t show up for his ride home from work.  It was clear he hadn’t made it home the following morning when his belongings were still in his locker at the ski resort.  Friends reported Carson missing at 10am on the morning of January 15th.

Tahoe search and rescue crews lead an intensive 4-day search for Carson in January despite high avalanche danger and an avalanche warning.  The search for Carson involved up to 47 searchers, dogs, helicopters, and more.

It’s suspected that Carson perished in an avalanche when he went into the backcountry during high avalanche danger and many avalanches were noted in the area where he was suspected to have been.

Carson May worked for Sugar Bowl for 3 seasons and his father once set the world speed record for a blind skier.

If counted as an avalanche fatality, this will be the 23rd avalanche fatality in the USA this winter.  The USA averages 27 avalanche fatalities per year.

A backcountry skier/doctor has been missing on Hatcher Pass, AK since November 23rd who is also suspected of having perished in an avalanche.  

SUGAR BOWL STATEMENT TODAY:

“The body of Sugar Bowl ski instructor Carson May who has been missing since January 14th was found today on Monday February 29th at approximately 11:00am. The discovery was made by Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue and El Dorado County Search and Rescue with the assistance of their rescue dog teams and Sugar Bowl Ski Patrol. The recovery was made roughly a ¼ mile out of bounds in an avalanche-prone area near the original search site.

This recovery brings closure to his family and Sugar Bowl. Carson was an esteemed member of the Sugar Bowl team and a friend to many at the resort. The community’s effort to find Carson has been overwhelming. Our thoughts and prayers are with the May family.” – Sugar Bowl, today

PLACER COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICIAL STATEMENT

from JANUARY 20TH, 2016:

“The 23-year-old went missing at Sugar Bowl Resort on January 15 during white-out conditions, and despite days of intensive searching, has not been located.  Conditions during the five days of searching have been treacherous due to frequent heavy snow and the associated risks that high avalanche danger poses to the many search and rescue volunteers. Placer County Sheriff’s personnel, Sugar Bowl representatives and chaplains met with the May family today and it is with regret that we must suspend the efforts to locate Carson.” – Placer County Sheriff’s Office