Missing Whitefish skier's body found

Nearly three months after he vanished while skiing, Whitefish doctor Jonathan Torgerson’s body has been found.

The 62-year-old physician hadn’t been seen since February 17, when he went backcountry skiing near Whitefish Mountain Resort’s Flower Point area. Torgerson’s disappearance had the Flathead Valley keeping an anxious vigil for weeks as rescue workers scoured the area by foot, ski, snowmobile and helicopter.

Those efforts, which resumed at the end of April, came to an end at about 11 a.m. Saturday morning, when searchers from multiple agencies found his body in what was described as “an avalanche deposition zone on the north side of the mountain.”

In a press release, Flathead County Sheriff Chuck Curry wrote that “it appears he was caught in a small avalanche on February 17. The warming temperatures and snow conditions contributed to the successful recovery.” He added that a K-9 team “was instrumental in today’s mission.”

“The Sheriff’s Office wishes to thank all of the volunteers who have contributed countless hours in this ongoing search to bring Dr. Torgerson home to his family.”