Vail Daily
Photo from Vail Ski Patrol
EAGLE The Eagle County Coroner’s Office on Friday morning identified John Kuo, 41, of Vail, as the skier killed in Thursday’s avalanche in the East Vail Chutes.
Kuo, who went by Johnny, was a regular among locals who frequent the popular sidecountry area that is accessible from Vail Mountain’s eastern boundary.
According to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center’s preliminary report, Kuo exited Vail Mountain through a backcountry access gate and was skiing in an area known as Marvin’s when the slide occurred.
Companions and other riders in the area found him and performed resuscitation efforts but were unsuccessful, according to the report. The avalanche occurred on an east-facing slope below tree line. Rescuers estimate the avalanche was 700 feet wide and ran 1,000 vertical feet.