Snowboarder who died at Donner identified

By Peter Hecht, Sacramento Bee

TRUCKEE – The snowboarder show died at Donner Ski Ranch on Monday has been identified as Steven Mark Anderson, 49, of Hirschdale near Truckee.

He was found dead in 2 to 3 feet of snow in a debris field at the base of the mountain resort hours after he was reported missing Monday morning.

Authorities said the snowboarder was apparently swept away as a moderate avalanche hit between lifts 1 and 6.

Search and rescue teams from the Placer County Sheriff’s Office and ski patrols from Donner Ski Ranch and neighboring Sugar Bowl Resort combed the area and found the body at 1:30pm after being alerted by a search dog.

Nevada County sheriff’s Sgt. Bob Jakobs said none of the several other people skiing or snowboarding in the area was affected by the avalanche. The area of the slide was closed down after the incident.