79-Year-Old Skier Goes Missing From Montana Ski Resort
A seasoned skier who was hoping to enjoy the slopes went missing on February 17th at Blacktail Mountain Ski Area in Montana. The ski resort has 200 acres of skiable area and is surrounded by 1,000 acres of national forest.
The 79-year-old man was reported missing around 4:30 pm after his friend saw him at the top of Emmon’s Run but discovered he never reached the bottom.
The Flathead County Sheriff was called in for assistance by the Blacktail Ski Patrol, and the search lasted well into the night. According to a report shared online, they attempted to use search-and-rescue helicopters, but the aircraft were forced to turn back due to low visibility.
The search was halted around 1:00 am on February 18th to wait for daylight.
Missing Skier Successfully Rescued
Teams resumed the rescue mission the following morning. They used cell phone forensics to narrow down the possible areas where the skier might be. Around 3:00 pm, authorities spotted the man signaling for help and quickly airlifted him to a nearby hospital. He was later cleared of injuries.
The man had miraculously survived unscathed despite temperatures dropping to approximately 20 degrees Fahrenheit overnight. He told authorities that he had veered off the trail while skiing and became disoriented.
He spent the night in a tree well—the hollowed-out area around the base of a tree that forms when the branches catch the snow falling above—and made a small fire for warmth. The region has received an estimated 80 inches of snowfall so far this season.
The man’s identity has not yet been made public. The Sheriff’s Office wrote:
“Thanks to his survival efforts and the dedicated search teams, he was found safe.”
Video Of The Miraculous Rescue Released
NBC Montana shared an incredible video taken from the helicopter that rescued the missing skier. In it, the man can be seen being hoisted into the aircraft by search-and-rescue personnel. Watch it below!