According to a Squaw Valley Incident Statement, 42-year-old Squaw Valley Ski Patroller Joe Zuiches passed away Tuesday morning around 8:30 a.m. from an explosive while completing Avalanche Hazard Reduction at the top of Gold Coast Ridge. The explosive was reported to be an ammonium nitrate hand charge.

“The whole team here at Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows is so deeply saddened, profoundly saddened by this tragic loss,” said Andy Wirth, Chief Executive and President of Squaw Valley Ski Holdings.

Squaw Valley did not open on Tuesday, however, Alpine Meadows remained opened. Squaw will re-open Wednesday, January 25th.

A GoFundMe memorial fund has been set up in Zuiches' honor.

You can read Squaw's Incident Statement here.