Missing snowboarder found alive, stayed overnight at Horizon

A search for missing snowboarder Corey Hoffman ended this morning when the Douglas County Sheriff's Office was contacted by a family member who informed them that Hoffman had phoned his father and advised he had spent the night at Horizon Casino Resort.

Deputies contacted Corey at the Stagecoach Lodge where he had proceeded to, and according to him he was unaware of the search for him. After a lengthy interview with Corey and his brother who had reported him missing, we are unable to determine exactly what transpired.

Investigators believe that Corey, who had spent the night with an acquaintance at the Horizon, was unaware that his brother believed him to be missing.

Corey reports he and his brother became separated at a bar in the Gondola village. The brother believes they became separated on the mountain, but the details are conflicting, due to the consumption of alcohol.

The Sheriff’s Office would like to remind all outdoor winter enthusiasts to have a plan, stick to the plan, stay with companions, communicate with your companions, maintain possession of your cell phone, and refrain, or strictly limit the consumption of alcoholic beverages.

The search for Hoffman involved 75 personnel from several jurisdictions and volunteer organizations, two helicopters, and is estimated to cost $40,000. More importantly in needlessly risked the safety of search and rescue personnel who conducted this search in bad weather and hazardous terrain.

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UPDATE: A 24-year-old snowboarder missing since Wednesday has been found alive, Douglas County Sheriff's Office confirms.

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A 24-year-old snowboarder remains missing Thursday morning after not returning from Heavenly Mountain Resort at South Shore Lake Tahoe on Wednesday, the Douglas County Sheriff's Office reports.

On Wednesday January 9th at about 8:30 p.m. the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office responded to the Heavenly Ski Resort, Stagecoach Lodge in Stateline, Nevada on the report of overdue snowboarder Corey Hoffman, of Gardnerville.

Hoffman and his brother had been snowboarding at Heavenly Ski Resort during the day, and became separated on their last run down the mountain. Corey’s vehicle has been located in the parking lot at the Heavenly Ski Resort and he has not been in contact with any family or friends. Douglas County Sheriff's Office did track his cell phone and it was located in his vehicle.

It is believed Corey is still on the mountain. He is dressed in black snow pants, a black sweatshirt, and brown hat with fur trim and black boots. He is wearing an orange Camelback pack and has a red snowboard.

Douglas County Search and Rescue, El Dorado County SAR and Heavenly Ski Patrol have searched throughout the night. Their efforts have been hampered by snow, wind, and avalanche danger.

Today, Thursday, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office is calling in additional resources from the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office and Tahoe Nordic. Douglas SAR is also working with the State of Nevada Emergency Management to arrange air search assets. As of this time there is tentative arrangement for a Navy search helicopter from NAS Fallon to join the search.

Today’s search efforts will concentrate on the Mott Canyon and Daggett Creek drainages on the east slope of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, and the in-bound ski areas in the vicinity of the Stagecoach Lodge. It is reported that Corey was boarding in and out of bounds Wednesday, so the search efforts will include both in and out of bound areas.