Avalanche kills skier in Glacier

The body of a Whitefish skier was found in Glacier National Park Thursday.

Authorities located the 37-year-old man’s body at the base of Mount Shields at the end of an avalanche slide Thursday afternoon.

Flathead County Sheriff Mike Meehan said authorities were unsure how long the skier had been missing or when the avalanche occurred.

Around 2 p.m., Glacier National Park rangers received a call from the victim’s friend, who found the man during a search of the area.

Rangers were on scene by 5:45 p.m. and confirmed the man’s death. Safety concerns stemming from the dangerous conditions caused a bit of a delay, according to Glacier National Park spokesman Wade Muehlhof.

Flathead County Sheriff’s Office dispatched Sgt. Ernie Freebury as coroner.

Muehlhof said there is no reason to believe the avalanche claimed any other victims. Authorities were still on scene, investigating, at press time.

The skier’s name has not been released. He was a part-time Whitefish resident.

Mount Shields is located on the southeast side of Glacier Park, a few miles from U.S. 2.