A skiing accident Sunday morning (Jan. 30) at Mt. Hood Meadows in Oregon claimed the life of an Illinois man.
The Hood River County Sheriff’s Office identified the man as 30-year-old Michael Snell. He was reportedly visiting Oregon for a work project and had been staying in The Dalles.
According to Dave Tragethon, a spokesperson for Mount Hood Meadows, shortly after resort lifts opened at 9 a.m. Sunday, the Mount Hood Meadows ski patrol responded to a report of a skiing accident on Four Bowl, an advanced run.
Officials believe Snell lost control on the Ridge Run trail before going off the run and sliding down the Four Bowl trail. Pete Hughes, sergeant with the Hood River County Sheriff’s Office, said Snell crashed into a tree before falling down the slope.
Tragethon said Snell was transported to the Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital Mountain Clinic. But attempts to revive him at the scene, in transport and later at the clinic, were unsuccessful. He was pronounced dead at the medical center.
Tragethon said the accident is still under investigation.
ABOUT MOUNT HOOD MEADOWS: The ski resort is close to Portland – about 90 minutes away. According to the website it “delivers a big mountain experience you’d expect to travel much farther to enjoy.”
Mount Hood Meadows offers more than 2,150 acres of skiing and riding. Rising to its highest lift-served elevation of 7,300 feet, the resort offers a panoramic view to the east and south.
The ski resort operates on a special use permit in the Mount Hood National Forest, and the resort sprawls across Mount Hood’s southeast flank.
Mount Hood Meadows has 11 lifts, including six high-speed quads. The entire 2,150 acres of skiable terrain is easily accessed.
From the steeps of the front side bowls to the gentle slopes of beginner runs, Mount Hood Meadows terrain is known for its diversity and playfulness.
The ski resort was voted by Oregonians for having the best cruising intermediate terrain in the state.
