The California snowboarding neighborhood is in mourning this weekend, after a beloved skier who helped form a Northern California resort, handed away immediately throughout a backcountry run.
Bernie Rosow — a Mammoth Mountain skier and snowcat operator — handed away Thursday morning, throughout a hike up Bloody Mountain within the Sierra Nevada vary, close to the city of Mammoth Lakes.
He was climbing up the mountain with buddies, when he immediately collapsed round 9:30 a.m., in keeping with one of many buddies he was with, Christian Pondella (through SF Gate).
“Every part was regular, only a typical day. Simply out of the blue he stated, ‘My again hurts, it hurts between my shoulders,’” Pondella advised the outlet.
Pondella stated that he sat down and stopped responding to questions, including, “it occurred so fast. Two minutes earlier than that he was having regular conversations.”
A search and rescue helicopter was known as and arrived on the scene, however they weren’t in a position to revive him. His companion, Amber Feld, stated they imagine he had a coronary heart incident.
“We’re completely devastated. Bernie was his eight-year-old son Alexander’s favourite individual in the whole world,” Feld advised the outlet.
She additionally shared the information on her Instagram, together with a photograph of her, Rosow and their son Alexander.
“We misplaced Bernie yesterday. Alexander‘s favourite individual in the entire world, and my love. He was out doing what he likes to do climbing with buddies up Bloody Mountain to ski down,” she started.
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“We presume a coronary heart well being incident and handed shortly. When Bernie and I first met in 2011 he advised me he was climbing up Bloody Mountain and yesterday it was nonetheless one in all his favorites,” she stated.
“Final weekend he advised Alex the mountain bought its identify due to its crimson rocks. Bernie we’ll all the time stay in your spirit. This has all the time been Alex’s favourite picture of us. We love you a lot. 1981-2026,” she concluded with a crimson coronary heart emoji.
Rosow was born in Vermont, revealing in a 2020 interview with Black Crow Skis that his mother and father bought him began snowboarding when he was simply two years previous.
He was concerned in a number of ski racing packages and initially got down to be an expert skier, shifting out West to Mammoth to ski when he was simply 18 within the early 2000s.
“I used to be sleeping in my tent within the woods in search of work. I knew I didn’t wish to work within the day as a result of I wished to ski. And a buddy of mine was like, ‘You need to be a snowcat operator,’” Rosow stated.
Rosow labored as a snowcat operator for over 25 years, in the end ascending to the place of Grooming Supervisor for Mammoth.
Mammoth Mountain spokesperson Emily van Greuning issued a press release that started, “He will probably be missed tremendously by the Mammoth household and surrounding neighborhood.”
“His ardour for the game was aspirational, and his legacy won’t ever be forgotten. Our ideas are along with his household, buddies and colleagues throughout this tough time,” she concluded.
He advised Ski Journal final yr that the one recent powder day he missed in 20 years was the day his son Alexander was born.
“I haven’t missed first chair on a powder day in 20 years. Truly, I take that again. When my son was born in L.A., it snowed, and I used to be watching my buddies do backflips off cliffs on the webcam,” he stated.
Rosow amassed a large social media following, with over 41K followers on Instagram and over 101K followers on TikTok, plus over 12K YouTube subscribers.
His YouTube video was posted two months in the past, showcasing him effortlessly tackling a run from Chair 5 at Mammoth.
Pondella stated that Rosow will probably be remembered for his seemingly-endless power, snowboarding and dealing full-time whereas staying dedicated to his household.
“Numerous us as buddies couldn’t work out how he simply had the power. He would ski all day after which work from 4 p.m. to midnight, come dwelling, get to mattress at no matter time, after which be the primary one on the mountain the following day and do it yet again,” Pondella stated.
Pondella added, “He was one of many extra gifted skiers I’ve ever skied with, and I’ve photographed the world’s greatest skiers over the past 25 years of my life.”
