Rescue crews today recovered the body of a backcountry skier who died in and avalanche near Snowmass 7 days ago.
Snowmass resident Brandon J. Zukoff, who is originally from Grand Blanc, Mich., was killed outside the boundaries of the Snowmass Ski Area in the East Snowmass Creek backcountry, just after 4 p.m. on Feb. 22, according to a news release from the Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office.
Two companions found his body and confirmed he was dead before going for help.
Considerable avalanche danger and poor weather conditions forced rescue crews to delay the recovery.
Avalanche dogs located Zukoff’s body early this morning.
Slides in the Sand’s Chute moved Zukoff’s body about 200 yards from the location reported last week and covered the body with about 1 meter of new snow.
Just after 9 a.m. a 12-person foot team from Mountain Rescue Aspen arrived at the location and a helicopter flew Zukoff’s body off the mountain at 11:32 a.m.
Members of Mountain Rescue Aspen, Snowmass Ski Patrol and DBS Helicopters helped with the recovery.
