Backcountry Skier Killed After Avalanche Near Telluride Resort
TELLURIDE, Colo. (CBS4) - The search for a backcountry skier in southwestern Colorado has ended. The Telluride Ski Patrol and rescue teams found the man late Wednesday morning in the Bear Creek area.
The search began Tuesday after crews received information about an overdue skier and an avalanche in the area.
They used avalanche dogs to look for the man. The search started near the Telluride Ski Resort.
The San Miguel Sheriff's Office says the man was killed in a snowboarder-released avalanche. The victim was identified as 47 year-old Salvadore Garcia-Atance.
Search and Rescue & Telluride Ski Patrol found the missing backcountry skier late this morning in the Bear Creek area. He was killed in a snowboarder-released avalanche triggered from above. Click for news release: https://t.co/ZTQRK8KBoq #SARBearCreek pic.twitter.com/rDyFOQQe6g
— San Miguel Sheriff (@SheriffAlert) February 20, 2019
This is the fifth avalanche fatality in Colorado this season, according to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center.
Three ski lifts were delayed, but reopened on Wednesday.
Mountain Update: Lifts 6, 14 & 15 are ON DELAY to start the day. Delay anticipated to be a couple hours.
— Telluride Ski Resort (@Telluride) February 20, 2019