New York man dies at Heavenly Mountain Resort

UPDATE FRIDAY, MAR. 3: The El Dorado County Sheriff's Office has provided new information about this tragic event. The New York man has been identified as 46-year-old Wesley Whalen, and the story has been updated.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A man from New York died at Heavenly Mountain Resort on March 1 after falling into a tree well while skiing, and getting buried in snow. Ski patrollers on the mountain responded to the incident at approximately 2:49 p.m. on an expert trail near Roundabout. They gave emergency care and evaluation and transported the 46-year-old to the California Base Lodge where he was pronounced deceased.

“Heavenly Mountain Resort, Heavenly Ski Patrol, and the entire Vail Resorts family extend our deepest sympathy and support to our guest’s family and friends,” said Tom Fortune, VP and COO of Heavenly and the Tahoe Region.

The El Dorado County Coroner said the deceased man has been identified as Wesley Whalen. They said his next of kin has been notified.

An autopsy is scheduled for Friday. The skier was wearing a Go Pro but it did not indicate exactly what happened so the autopsy will determine the cause of death.