Snowboarder who died at Big White identified

The Kelowna resident who died last week while snowboarding at Big White Resort has been identified as Ryan Fletcher.

His body was found Dec. 27, 2021, the day after he was reported missing at the ski hill.

Central Okanagan Search and Rescue confirmed the information but wouldn't speculate on how Fletcher died.

Fletcher, 42, had been snowboarding on Boxing Day and was last seen at around 1 p.m. at the Gem Lake Chair lift before his last run of the day.

When he hadn't returned by 5 p.m. the RCMP was notified.

A search was launched with Big White Ski Patrol and search and rescue crews from Central Okanagan, Penticton and Vernon.

An earlier media release said the search took place in the backcountry of Big White and the snowpack was unstable and had a high risk of avalanches. The search was eventually called off due to weather and poor visibility. The overnight low in Kelowna that night was -29 Celsius.

Fletcher's body was found late in the morning Dec. 27.

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