Missing Skier's Body Found in Lost Trail Area
The Lost Trail Pass area. (KLYQ file photo by Steve Fullerton, Townsquare Media)
The body of a Colorado skier was found Friday afternoon. The 25-year-old man had been missing since Thursday afternoon in the Lost Trail area on the border between Montana and Idaho. Searchers found the deceased skier on the Idaho side of the mountain about 24 hours after he was reported missing.
Investigation of the circumstances of the incident is being done by Montana's Ravalli County Coroner's office, at the request of Idaho's Lemhi County Coroner. The man's identity will be released once the family has had a chance to notify friends and relatives. Further details will be forthcoming as investigation continues.
The search began when the man did not return to his skiing party at Lost Trail Powder Mountain ski area Thursday afternoon, January 14. The Lost Trail Ski Patrol began searching and called in units of Ravalli County Search and Rescue, who searched throughout the evening into early Friday morning. Over 20 searchers were on the mountain beginning Friday. Ravalli County Sheriff Steve Holton, in a news release, said assistance was also provided by Lifeflight helicopter, Two Bear Air and members of the man's skiing party. Holton thanked all the searchers for their efforts and also extended the thoughts and prayers of the Ravalli County officers and Search and Rescue to the victim's family.
The experienced searchers had set up a command post at the main lodge of Lost Trail Powder Mountain. At one point, detective Scott Burlingham used a thermal imaging drone to attempt to find the missing skier.
Lost Trail is a popular downhill ski operation that is on the border between Montana and Idaho at Lost Trail Pass, at the south end of the Bitterroot Valley. The runs are used by alpine/downhill skiers, telemark skiers, mono-skiers and snowboarders.
A reminder to winter skiers and snowboarders in Montana, be aware of weather conditions, steepness of hillsides and possibilities of avalanche danger when you are off the groomed runs into the backcountry of the Bitterroot National Forest. Always let people know where you're going and when you are expected to be back.
Filed Under: cross country skiers, idaho, lost skier, Lost Trail Ski Area, Missoula MT
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