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Wolf Creek Ski Area closed after ski patrol director killed in avalanche

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PowSkierCO
Posts: 760 - Karma: 11
WOLF CREEK - The Wolf Creek Ski Area closed Monday after its ski patrol director was killed in an avalanche.

The Colorado State Patrol said Monday they were assisting with a helicopter landing after someone was caught in an avalanche around 7:45 a.m. The Mineral County Sheriff's Office began investigating the fatality.

Later on Monday, Wolf Creek Ski Area confirmed the death.

"Our Wolf Creek ski patrol director, while working to protect others, was caught in an avalanche which, to our great sadness, he did not survive. Wolf Creek's management and all its employees wish to express our deepest regrets at this loss of a wonderful man and close friend. Our sympathy and condolences go out to his wife and two children," the ski area said in a release.

The ski area did not release the man's name.

The ski area was closed Monday after the death. It plans to reopen at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday.


Nov 22 2010 5:15PM
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ndye
Posts: 3756 - Karma: 7,088
RIP
Nov 22 2010 5:16PM
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Yung_Gnarley
Posts: 9091 - Karma: 3,016
Wow. Being a patroller is such a dangerous job and we are so fortunate that we have patrollers that are willing to put their lives on the line so that we can ski knowing the slopes are safe. RIP.
Nov 22 2010 5:17PM
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yohaass60
Posts: 333 - Karma: 42
Thanks for keeping one of the best mountains safe. R.I.P
Nov 22 2010 5:19PM
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Literature
Posts: 13673 - Karma: 3,086
Damn. I hope this year isn't as bad as these past few for Avie deaths.

Thanks to all Patrollers for all you do.

Shred in peace.
Nov 22 2010 5:23PM
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1337
Posts: 31038 - Karma: 29,003
RIP, terrible thing to hear about. Thoughts go out to his family.
Nov 22 2010 5:25PM
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PowSkierCO
Posts: 760 - Karma: 11
This is just a good reminder to everyone to be very careful right now with all the fresh snow fall in the colorado mountains. We are having another huge one this week, so be careful .
Nov 22 2010 5:26PM
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Dustin.
Posts: 13839 - Karma: 7,704
Wow, the only reason I wasn't there today was because my car battery died...RIP man.
Nov 22 2010 5:27PM
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-KYLE-
Posts: 3390 - Karma: 603
I was there today man...it was very sad...i walked by the patrol room and all the patrollers were crying, I felt so bad for them...RIP Scott Kay...my thoughts and prayers are with his wife and children
Nov 22 2010 5:33PM
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Mr.Huck
Posts: 6096 - Karma: 14,893
That sucks beyond words.  RIP, and my thoughts are for his family. 
Nov 22 2010 6:02PM
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Dustin.
Posts: 13839 - Karma: 7,704
So when did they close today?  Did they even open?  It says it happened at 745 so I'm guessing they just turned people away today.
Nov 22 2010 6:38PM
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PowSkierCO
Posts: 760 - Karma: 11
little update. Seems so sad. To the post that said he was at near the patrol room, that must of been a really sad moment. I know ski patrolers are a close family.

MINERAL COUNTY, Colo. -- A ski patrol supervisor was killed in an avalanche at Wolf Creek Ski Area Monday morning, authorities said.

The avalanche happened inside the boundaries of the ski area, which is located near Pagosa Springs in southern Colorado, at about 10:30 a.m.

The area had received more than a foot of new snow over 24-hours.

“Wolf Creek Ski Area will closed today, November 22nd, due to the fatality of a staff member,” said a message on the ski area’s web site. “Lifts will begin operating tomorrow at 8:30 a.m.”

Postings on Wolf Creek’s Facebook page identified the victim as Scott Kay.


Colorado’s first avalanche death of the season prompted the Colorado Avalanche Information Center to issue a warning about the ‘high’ avalanche risk.

“A large winter storm on Sunday created high avalanche danger in many mountain areas. A second storm will increase the avalanche danger on Tuesday night”, said Ethan Greene, director of the CAIC.

Avalanche safety experts advise backcountry travelers to travel in teams of two or more and carry rescue equipment such as a shovel, probe pole, rescue beacon and Recco device.

According to the CAIC, since 1950, avalanches have killed more people in Colorado than in any other state and Colorado accounts for one-third of all avalanche deaths in the United States.

Nov 22 2010 6:41PM
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pmsnow
Posts: 992 - Karma: 87
That is so sad. That must have been heartbreaking to see. I am headed up there wednesday so I am hoping that nothing serious happens again. That pass gets so many avalanches. RIP
Nov 22 2010 6:46PM
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Film.
Posts: 2631 - Karma: 2,462
:( I can't believe it so sad Wolf Creek has some crazy terrain RIP bro
Nov 22 2010 6:50PM
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EastCoast315
Posts: 3136 - Karma: 137
RIP
Much love for wolf creek and any patroller willing to put their lives on the line
Nov 22 2010 6:51PM
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silex
Posts: 526 - Karma: 63
RIP, i wonder were it was...
Nov 22 2010 7:01PM
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-KYLE-
Posts: 3390 - Karma: 603
they started turnin people away around noonish...they said they were going to open once they found him but im guessing once they found out he had passed they had no desire to open...but do you really blame them...ill be up there tomorrow...
Nov 22 2010 7:24PM
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-KYLE-
Posts: 3390 - Karma: 603
i heard from another patroller that the entire prospector ridge collapsed on him...RIP
Nov 22 2010 7:26PM
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flatspinner
Posts: 2701 - Karma: 536
That second report is incorrect.

The avi occured BEFORE opening at around 7:45am.

I was up there today, it was heartbreaking to see all the patrollers outside crying. Other staff were really just trying to keep busy until the word came that there would be no opening.

I have to applaud Wolf Creek Ski School for their admirable job of teaching young kids even when the lifts weren't open and working through what was obviously a painful morning. Also, I have mad respect for Wolf Creek for giving people full refunds. I've worked at Crested Butte for three seasons and there is no way that would ever happen at CBMR.

I grew up skiing at Wolf Creek, love the area and knew of Scott. Will be a tough season for everyone there, if any of you visit let the staff and patrollers know that you appreciate them. Wolf Creek is a big family, most everyone knows everyone else from patrollers, ski school, lift ops, food service, and parking attendants...Scott was the inspiration for a friend of mine to become a ski patroller after she had worked at Wolf Creek for a season. 
Nov 22 2010 7:30PM
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SkierX
Posts: 16253 - Karma: 538
Hard situation for sure. Terrible way to kick off the season and it makes you realize how dangerous and unpredictable the mountains are. This patroller likely had boatloads of snowpack knowledge. Take every day for granted and live life to it's fullest.
Nov 22 2010 8:10PM
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Imagination
Posts: 2501 - Karma: 73

I actually just saw this on the weather channel, I knew there would be a couple NS there. Such a tradgedy, RIP. My wishes to his family and those close to him.

Nov 22 2010 8:15PM
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Jibbin_Ur_Face
Posts: 2536 - Karma: 763
RIP. Vibes to the familey
Nov 22 2010 8:17PM
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Z-Juice
Posts: 3151 - Karma: 1,504
RIP really a sad thing to hear about so early in the season
Nov 22 2010 8:27PM
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Shlogan
Posts: 4942 - Karma: 430
i was there saturday and im wondering if i saw him/ met him. anyway thats super sad, and to go with it a little sad claim: a kid i do diving with said his dad found and dug the patroller out after the avy, his dad is having some trouble now and can't complete sentences and is yelling all the time. crazy what deaths do.
Nov 23 2010 12:14AM
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tripnip
Posts: 1882 - Karma: 482
RIP... be safe to everyone out there this week skiing the back country if it looks sketch it probably is dont do it be smart. This is a sad week for every one down in wolf creek my prayers go out to every one.
Nov 23 2010 12:48AM
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tripnip
Posts: 1882 - Karma: 482
RIP... be safe to everyone out there this week skiing the back country if it looks sketch it probably is dont do it be smart. This is a sad week for every one down in wolf creek my prayers go out to every one.
Nov 23 2010 12:49AM
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PowSkierCO
Posts: 760 - Karma: 11
I have so much respect for this local ski area after I read this....."They shut the entire area down and sent every available [Wolf Creek] employee with a shovel to try and go find him, but by that time it was too late," Ray said.

How awesome is that, that a ski area will close, lose money to find its own. Vail Resorts would not do that. It's just good to know that their are real people still out in the world today. RIP.
Nov 23 2010 1:18AM
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Pee_and_Ski
Posts: 1869 - Karma: 57
rip
Nov 23 2010 1:25AM
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MatsoFatso
Posts: 71 - Karma: 18
Im up here right now and I'll be skiing ac in the morning. I'll be shreddin in that guys name and all the fallen skiers from last season tomorrow. SIP and see you on the other side!
Nov 23 2010 1:39AM
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smuggs
Posts: 6561 - Karma: 1,373
real sad, hope that never happens again.

and remember this the next time you mouth off to patrol for bustin ya for skiing fakie. they are only out there keeping everyone safe weather its avi control or slow zone control.

rip
Nov 23 2010 3:23AM
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*Dos*Planker*
Posts: 2983 - Karma: 168
man thats really shitty, SIP
Nov 23 2010 10:16AM
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