Truckee, California – A 42-year-old Oregon father of three is being remembered after he was killed in an avalanche while snowmobiling with friends in the Sierra Nevada backcountry earlier this month. Chris Scott Thomason died on Jan. 5 after being buried by snow near Castle Peak, according to authorities.
Avalanche Struck During Return From Castle Peak
Thomason was part of a group of five experienced snowmobilers who set out from the Johnson Peak area and successfully reached Castle Peak near Truckee, officials with the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office said.
As the group began their return trip, an avalanche was triggered on the backside of the mountain, sweeping Thomason into deep snow.
“The group immediately tracked Thomason’s beacon and began digging him out,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement.
Rescue Efforts Were Immediate but Unsuccessful
Authorities said the group was well prepared for backcountry travel. All members were equipped with avalanche beacons, and one was CPR certified. After locating Thomason’s signal, his friends pulled him from the snow and began lifesaving efforts.
Their response was reinforced when three additional individuals came upon the scene, including an off-duty Truckee fire medic who immediately took over emergency care and CPR.
Despite the combined rescue efforts, Thomason was pronounced dead at the scene, officials said.
A Husband, Father, and Business Owner
Thomason was a co-owner of the Thomason Auto Group, a car dealership based in Bend, Oregon. He is survived by his wife and three daughters, according to reporting by KTVZ, an NBC affiliate in central Oregon.
Friends and family described him as an experienced outdoorsman who loved snowmobiling and spending time with his family.
Wife Shares Heartbreaking Message
Thomason’s wife, Kerri Marf Kurtz, shared an emotional message on Facebook days after the tragedy, describing the pain of losing her husband and helping break the news to his children.
“My heart hurts every minute of every day, not only for me and Penny, but for his other two daughters, Emma and Aspen,” Kurtz wrote.
She described telling Thomason’s older daughters about their father’s death as the most painful experience of her life, praising their mother for her strength during the moment.
“My heart will never recover from this,” Kurtz added. “I love and miss him so much. I have not stopped crying since I was told he is gone — my worst nightmare. He was so deeply loved.”
Incident Highlights Avalanche Dangers
The fatal accident serves as a reminder of the dangers associated with backcountry winter recreation, even for experienced riders using safety equipment. Authorities continue to urge snowmobilers and skiers to monitor avalanche conditions closely and travel with extreme caution in unstable terrain.
The incident was also detailed in reporting by NBC News, which cited officials involved in the rescue and investigation.
