72-year-old snowboarder with ‘infectious smile and booming voice’ dies on ID mountain
_fitted.png "Charles “Charlie” Fletcher Jr. died Dec. 30 at a ski resort in Sandpoint, Idaho.")
A 72-year-old with an “‘infectious smile” died on an Idaho mountain after falling into a tree well, multiple news outlets reported, citing officials.
Charles “Charlie” Fletcher Jr. of Laguna Beach, California, was reported missing at about 12:30 p.m. Dec. 30 at Schweitzer ski resort in Sandpoint, The Spokesman-Review reported and the ski resort said in a release.
Ski patrol found Fletcher with the help of a skier on an advanced trail, the resort said.
He had fallen into a tree well and suffocated, the Bonner County Daily Bee reported from Coroner Robert Beers.
A tree well forms when tree branches keep snow from falling near the trunk of the tree.
“This void surrounding the tree’s trunk is often unconsolidated and presents a grave danger to unsuspecting hikers, snowshoers, snowmobilers, skiers and snowboarders,” according to Ski Utah.
The ski resort said the coroner pronounced him dead once he was taken to the base of the resort.
The ski resort said Fletcher was a “long-time Schweitzer pass holder,” according to a Jan. 2 Facebook post.
“We encourage everyone to remain vigilant and look out for one another. Safety is a shared responsibility, and together we can honor the memory of those we’ve lost by prioritizing care and awareness on the mountain,” the resort said.
His community shared their thoughts about his death.
“It is shocking to have a force of nature in your life and then one day the guy is gone and off to the great divine. Leaving a bit of darkness where there was so much light,” someone posted from an Instagram page called Doing Bad Things Well.
“Charlie is a legend. His love and energy is contagious and always will be with us,” Kristin Hennessy commented.
“Laguna will not (be) the same without his infectious smile and booming voice. Love you Fletcher! Live in eternal bliss,” Deborah Brazeal wrote.
Sandpoint is in north Idaho.
This story was originally published January 6, 2025 at 2:11 PM with the headline "72-year-old snowboarder with ‘infectious smile and booming voice’ dies on ID mountain."
