Photo: Placer County Sheriff
Placer County officials are still searching for a skier that was reported missing Saturday near the Northstar California Resort area. The Placer County Sheriff’s Office says 43-year old Rory Angelotta was reported missing just before 10 p.m. on Christmas Day. His friends say he was going skiing before meeting up with them for dinner. Angelotta did not make it to his dinner plans that night and his friends reported him missing. Law enforcement investigators believe Angelotta was wearing a navy blue Fly Low Jacket,a blue helmet and black ski goggles. Along with the Sheriff’s office, Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue, Nevada County Search and Rescue and Northstar Ski Patrol responded for the search. KCRA reports Angelotta is an experienced skier and he may have brought avalanche gear with him.
The Placer County Sheriff's Office released this statement Monday: "Searchers responded and combed the mountain and surrounding areas, despite extreme weather. Rescue personnel were on skis, snowmobiles, and a snowcat during their search. They faced high avalanche danger, strong winds, whiteout flurries, frigid temperatures, and heavy snow loads before calling off their search in the evening, on December 26th. Search efforts continue today, but due to the ongoing severe storm and closed highways, searchers face significant challenges."
According to the investigators, his ski pass was scanned at Comstock Lift that morning around 11:30 and has not been used since. But before the pass was scanned, his phone sent an emergency ping and short phone call around 11:25 before his phone was shut off. His car was left in the parking lot that night. Crews searched the area Sunday and called it off to start searching again Monday. Anyone with information about Angelotta's route or other information is asked to contact the Placer County Sheriff's Office at (530) 886-5375. Rory Angelotta moved to Truckee from Colorado in October and was a general manager at Surefoot Custom Ski Boots store and is described as friendly and outgoing.