Skier dies at squaw valley

TRUCKEE — A 52-year-old Truckee man died Monday after hitting a tree below Squaw Valley’s Headwall chairlift earlier that morning, according to resort officials.

James Taylor, a pass holder at the resort, apparently lost control and collided with a tree around 10 a.m. and was transported to Squaw Valley’s Truckee Tahoe Medical Group, said Squaw Valley spokeswoman Savannah Cowley.

“Squaw patrol was on the scene within minutes, and Taylor was alert and conscious at that time,” Cowley said.

Taylor was taken to Renown Medical Center in Reno where he was pronounced dead by a physician at the hospital, according to the Washoe County coroner.

Taylor was the designer of Jet Lites, a popular lighting system for cyclists. The company is based in Truckee.

[URL]www.nevadaappeal.com/article/20080226/NEWS01/85199787[/URL]


They say that he lost control but ive heard a few rumors that he was cut off as he was skiing (quite fast) turned to avoide the person aired off a catrack and then hit the tree... im not sure about that but that is what is RUMORED.

RIP squaw ripper, atleast he died doing what he loved...