Calgary man dies in ski accident at Whitefish resort

A 56-year-old Calgary man was found dead Friday, after being reported missing while skiing at Whitefish Mountain Resort.

Charles (Chuck) Douglas James Herr had been skiing at the Montana resort with a companion Friday afternoon when the two lost sight of each other, according to resort spokesperson Riley Polumbus.

“They became separated in a steep-treed area off of a ground run and he fell into a tree well,” she said.

A tree well is an area of loose snow that surrounds a tree trunk, which skiers can fall into and become trapped.

“After they became separated, his companion called the ski patrol and reported him missing, and ski patrol began searching for him,” said Polumbus. “A couple hours later they were able to find him and he was already passed.”

In a statement, the resort reminded visitors of precautions that should be taken when skiing or snowboarding.

“Any death at our resort is a tragedy and felt deeply by the entire Whitefish Mountain Resort community. We extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends as they cope during this difficult time,” it stated.

“This accident is another unfortunate reminder that tree wells are an inherent risk of the sport. We encourage our guests to take extra caution when skiing in the trees and deep snow . ... We will continue to help our guests understand the risks and encourage educating themselves on this subject.”