Snowboarder dies at South Lake Tahoe resort

A 46-year-old snowboarder died Wednesday at a South Lake Tahoe resort, a day after a blizzard brought feet of snow to the region.

“Heavenly Mountain Resort regretfully confirms that a serious incident involving a 46-year-old man occurred on the mountain on Wednesday, March 1, 2023,” the resort said in an emailed statement.

The resort’s ski patrol responded to the incident, which took place on an “expert” course. The man was taken to a resort base lodge, where he was pronounced dead.

The snowboarder was identified as Wesley Whalen of New York, SF Gate reported.

Whalen was found in a tree pit, the space between the lowest branches and the ground, where snow can be compressed less, SF Gate said.

“Heavenly Mountain Resort, Heavenly Ski Patrol and the entire Vail Resorts family extend our deepest condolences and support to the families and friends of our guests,” said Tom Fortune, vice president and chief operating officer of Heavenly.

The incident came after an intense winter storm dropped several feet of snow on the area, with Heavenly reporting 24 inches of snow in the 24 hours leading up to Wednesday.