Industry News
According to the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office, a 36-year-old snowboarder died after falling headfirst into deep snow and suffocating at China Peak ski resort in California yesterday.
The Sheriff’s Office reports that the accident happened in the trees between Exhibition and Tamarack near Chair 2 in deep snow.
Tim Cohee, China Peak’s managing partner and general manager, reports that the deceased snowboarder fell into about 5 feet of fresh snow and suffocated after being unable to free himself at around noon yesterday.
The deceased snowboarder was riding with friends and family but they were unable to reach him in time.
“We feel absolutely terrible for his family and for his friends who were here unable to help him. They were down below and couldn’t get to him.” – Tim Cohee, China Peak’s managing partner and general manager
89-114″ of snow has fallen at China Peak in the past 7 days.
China Peak just reopened yesterday after having been closed for weeks due to a lack of snow.
Tim Cohee reports that the victim was a season pass holder.
The Fresno County Sheriff’s office has not released the identity of the snowboarder.
According the officials, the last time a death occurred at China Peak was in 2011.
Deep snow in California and Oregon has caused at least 4 snow immersion suffocation deaths yesterday.
A person was found dead at Squaw Valley, CA yesterday likely due to having fallen into a tree well.
Two people were found dead at Mt. Bachelor, OR yesterday due to having fallen into tree wells.
