FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) - A man who was found dead at a northern Arizona ski resort had fallen into a well of loose snow around the base of a tree, authorities said Monday.
The family of Vsevolod Predtechenskliy, 56, called the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office on Saturday when he didn’t return home to Chandler as expected.
Crews began a search by air and ground to find him. His body was discovered Sunday morning off the Volcano Run at the Arizona Snowbowl outside Flagstaff where he snowboarding around the trees.
Predtechenskliy was an experienced snowboarder and had a season pass to the ski resort. Authorities were better able to determine his location based on when he last used it, said sheriff’s spokesman Jon Paxton.
Predtechenskliy fell into what’s known as a tree well. Those form when low-hanging branches prevent snow from compacting at the base of a tree, and can be deep and hazardous, Paxton said.
A cause and manner of death haven’t been determined.
“Obviously the investigation is not done yet, but from everything we’re seeing right not, (it) appears to be a tragic accident,” Paxton said.
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