Recently, the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Unit responded to a report of an overdue skier who had left the ski area boundary at Snowbowl and entered the Kachina Peaks Wilderness. Officials say the skier, a 16-year-old male from Flagstaff, became separated from his group who returned to Snowbowl and reported him missing to Ski Patrol. The skier was reported to be equipped with only his skis and cell phone and it appeared his cell phone had run out of battery. Less than an hour later, searchers located the skier who had made his way to Snowbowl Road. This incident was the third lost out of bounds skier or snowboarder call received by either the Sheriff’s Office or Ski Patrol that same day. Officials say skiing or snowboarding outside of the ski area boundary is potentially dangerous. Those who recreate outside of managed areas should carry emergency equipment and avoid traveling alone.
