Horrific West Coast avalanches have claimed the lives of three skiers in Oregon and California.
After failing to return home from a backcountry skiing trip on Monday, Terrance ‘Terry’ Olaf Skjersaa, 57, and his wife Susan Renee Skjerssa, 52, were found buried in a massive avalanche by friends, according to Deschutes County sheriff’s Sergeant Jason Wall.
The couple, from Bend, Oregon, set off earlier in the day in the Central Cascade Mountains, but an avalanche tragically buried them at 6,700ft while they skied on a South facing slope in Happy Valley, according to the Central Oregon Avalanche Center.
They were found deceased just before midnight. Authorities believe they were hit by the large mass of snow hours before they were located.
The couple are believed to have ‘triggered the dangerous avalanche themselves,’ the Central Oregon Avalanche Center said in a separate report.
That same day, Frederic Dross, 46, was reported missing after he failed to return from a backcountry ski trip around Powderhouse Peak near Luther Pass in South Lake Tahoe.
Police soon located Dross’s vehicle in the parking lot and his deceased body was found shortly after 4pm by friends, according to the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office.
Because of dangerous snow conditions Monday night, Dross had to be rescued early Tuesday morning. The cause of the avalanche that trapped Dross is unknown.
‘Terry’ Olaf Skjersaa (left), 57, and his wife Susan Renee Skjerssa (right), 52, were killed Monday night after an avalanche hit them in Oregon’s Happy Valley
Frederic Dross (pictured), 46, also died on Monday from an avalanche. He had failed to return home from a ski trip around Powderhouse Peak in South Lake Tahoe, California
On Tuesday the Central Oregon Avalanche Center said:
‘We extend our deepest condolences to all who loved the couple who tragically lost their lives while doing what they loved,’ the organization said.
Both Terry and Susan were highly regarded in the skiing community, as their family opened the first ski shop in Bend in 1939, according to Skjersaa Group – a realty group that Terry was a principal broker for.
Terry’s grandparents Olaf and Grace started the family business all those decades ago and he had more than 20 years of knowledge in the industry.
Olaf, a Norwegian immigrant, decided to open the shop at his home on 10th Street, KTVZ21 reported.
‘Terry knows the area from the top of Mount Bachelor to the canyons of the Deschutes River, and all points in between,’ his bio on the website read.
He and Sarah, who also went by Renee, share two daughters together – Ellie and Jade.
‘I am deeply saddened by the tragic loss of the couple who lost their lives in the avalanche while enjoying the Central Oregon backcountry,’ Deschutes County Sheriff Kent van der Kamp said.
The couple set off earlier in the day in Central Cascade Mountains, but an avalanche buried them at 6,700ft while they skied on a South facing slope in Happy Valley. (Pictured: File photo of Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway in Oregon)
Dross was reported missing after he failed to return from a backcountry ski trip around Powderhouse Peak near Luther Pass in South Lake Tahoe. (Pictured: Dross and his wife)
‘Their long history in our community and the lives they touched are a testament to the spirit and resilience that make Central Oregon such a special place to live.
‘On behalf of the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office and our entire community, I extend my heartfelt condolences to their family and loved ones during this difficult time.’
Dross, from South Lake Tahoe, has been remembered as a loving husband and father to two young daughters, according to a GoFundMe.
He is known for his commitment in the solar industry, as Jenya Meydbray, who created the donation page, said he was a ‘tireless solar warrior.’
The father-of-two has also been remembered for his ‘generous, positive, and energetic’ personality.
Dangerous snow conditions Monday night meant Dross had to be rescued early Tuesday. The cause of the avalanche is unknown. (Pictured: Powderhouse Peak – Luther Pass area)
Many in his profession honored Dross in heartbreaking posts after his sudden death.
‘His keen insight and commitment pushed us to improve, always challenging us to do better,’ Eedama, a sustainability organization said on LinkedIn.
‘Deeply saddened by the tragic and untimely demise of Frederic Dross. He was a wonderful person. Words can not express the loss we feel. We will miss him a lot…,’ Dr Dinesh Kumar, a solar Photovoltaic expert, wrote.
Joel Jean, the founder of Swift Solar, said he ‘Never met anyone like Frederic.’
‘He was the only person who could keep me in a 1-hour whiteboarding session for 3 hours and still keep me wanting to go on longer. He wasn’t perfect but he was pretty close.
‘He was kind, honest, openhearted, hardworking, ambitious, optimistic, creative, and playful. He brought joy and love to work every day.’
Jean also noted that Tuesday would have been Dross’s three-month anniversary at Swift Solar.
