Longtime local skier and business owner Peter Van De Carr died of trauma-related injuries in a skiing accident Tuesday morning at Steamboat Resort, according to Routt County Coroner Mitch Locke.

Van De Carr, 70, of Steamboat Springs, was pronounced dead at the scene at 10:46 a.m. Tuesday.

Routt County Sheriff Doug Scherar said Thursday that Van De Carr died “immediately due to trauma related to the accident.”

---

---

Another skier found Van De Carr buried in snow in the Mahogany Ridge area of the resort and called ski patrol at 9:40 a.m., according to the sheriff. The skier then performed CPR at 10:05 a.m. before ski patrol arrived at the scene at 10:12 a.m.

Scherar added that a deputy was dispatched to the resort at 10 a.m. and was on the scene at 10:08 a.m.

---

---

“As far as how long he was there, nobody knows,” Scherar said of Van De Carr. “There’s no way to know how long he was there. It was from the time he had his accident to the time he was found.”

Locke said Wednesday that Van De Carr was not found in a tree well.

The Mahogany Ridge area of Steamboat Resort consists of 650-plus acres of advanced and expert terrain with rock cliffs, chutes and tree glades. A series of winter storms had dumped some 40 inches of new snow at the ski area over the weekend preceding the accident.

Scherar said the investigation into the accident is ongoing. Ski patrol and detectives with the sheriff’s office are still collaborating to make an official report, and Scherar said it is unclear when the report will be completed.

“These things take time to investigate,” said Scherar. 

Van De Carr owned the popular business Backdoor Sports that he and his wife, Gretchen, opened in 1986 on Yampa Street in Steamboat Springs. He was also a prominent figure in the community, especially with respect to outfitting operations on the Yampa River.

He is regarded as the ultimate adventurer with experience kayaking, rafting, tubing, climbing and skiing. Van De Carr was a backcountry enthusiast who skied Telemark and competed in the local men’s league hockey program. 

“Steamboat Resort can confirm the passing of a beloved community member yesterday at the resort in Mahogany Ridge,” said Steamboat Resort Senior Communications Manager Maren Franciosi in a statement Wednesday. “Our hearts are broken for his family and friends — many of whom are part of the Steamboat Resort team.”

“Our focus is providing space for grieving this heavy loss to our community and supporting our staff as they navigate through this,” added Franciosi.

Van De Carr’s loved ones are currently making memorial plans for next week.

More details will be provided as they become available.