Resort wants charges against snowboarder
A Northern California ski resort wants criminal charges brought against a snowboarder who it claims triggered an avalanche last week in a closed area at Donner Summit.
Snowboarder Christian Michael Mares gained attention after a YouTube video showed him tumbling in the avalanche at the Sugar Bowl Resort in Norden, Calif. Mares, who officials said was not a resort season pass holder, was wearing a GoPro camera.
“Yup, that just happened,” Mares said as he struggled to move after his fall.
Later on Facebook, he said, “Luckily I swam my way to the top and didn’t get buried. I def got lucky.”
Resort officials said they investigated the incident and are now working with the Placer County Sheriff ’s Department as they seek Mares’ prosecution.
The avalanche was triggered about 12:45 p.m. last Friday after Mares was “knowingly traversing” an area that has been closed to the public since the 2010-11 ski season and is clearly marked as off-limits, the resort said.
The area, they said, was an active avalanche zone. “As such, Mares put himself, his friends, ski patrol and the skiing public at risk,” the resort said in a statement.
In the past, when skiers with season passes have entered closed areas, resort management officials would pull their privileges and ban them for a period. But resort officials said Mares’ actions were extreme and they turned the incident over to the Sheriff ’s Department.
“The irresponsible and reckless decision to snowboard or ski in closed terrain ... will not be tolerated,” the resort said. “Sugar Bowl Resort urges all skiers and riders to respect terrain closures and mountain signage for their own safety and the safety of others.”
Mares took to Facebook to say that the resort’s account was “biased” and that no one from the Sheriff ’s Department or the resort has been available to speak to him.
Resort officials said the avalanche was not connected to a recent search for missing ski instructor Carson May, 23, who disappeared last Thursday and has not been found.