Ravalli County Sheriff Chris Hoffman announced in a press release that the body of missing skier Bart Allen Pickard was found on the south side of the Lost Trail Ski Area, near Meadows Trail, last Saturday, January 16.
The 65-year-old Corvallis resident was reported missing when he failed to show up at home after he went skiing on December 22. His car was found in the parking lot of the ski resort and an unsuccessful search was conducted over the course of the next few days. When the report came in, it was too late in the day to mount a search. Ravalli County Search and Rescue hit the slopes the following day but it snowed overnight and fresh powder made the search difficult as it had covered all traces. After consulting with the family the search was called off at the end of the day on Christmas Eve, December 24.
Hoffman said that a ski instructor found the body and Lost Trail management contacted Ravalli County 911 shortly thereafter. Ravalli County Search and Rescue members responded to the scene and worked with Lost Trail Ski Patrol members to recover Pickard’s body.
Hoffman said that high winds in the area had cleared some of the snow covering Pickard, and the instructor noticed a piece of his ski equipment. He went on to say that Pickard was found partially lying in a tree well under about four feet of snow, twelve to fourteen feet off the trail.
Cause of death is still under investigation at this time and Hoffman said that the body has been taken to the Montana State Crime Lab in Missoula.