A 30-year-old Illinois man died after striking a tree while skiing at Mt. Hood shortly after 9 a.m. on January 30th. Michael Snell, who was identified by the Hood River County Sheriff’s Office, is believed to have accidentally gone down the 4 Bowl trail, a black diamond, where he was unable to keep in control. Ski patrol at Mt. Hood Meadows responded to the incident, and the man was transported to the hospital, but he was, unfortunately, unable to be revived. The man was originally reported to be from Portland, but it’s now been conferment that he was, in fact, from Illinois.
It’s so incredibly important to stay in control on the mountain. If you’re new to the sport of skiing or snowboarding, PLEASE only go on trails you know you can control yourself on. And if you’ve been a skier or snowboarder for years, the same rule applies to you. Push yourself on the mountain, yes, but for the love of God, stay safe out there.
Image Credit: Mt. Hood Meadows on Instagram