In BEND, Oregon (AP) — Details have emerged regarding the identities of the two backcountry skiers who tragically lost their lives in an avalanche in Oregon’s Cascade Mountains. The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office has officially named Susan Skjersaa, aged 52, and Terance Skjersaa, aged 57, as the unfortunate couple who perished in the avalanche. This devastating event unfolded late on a Monday evening, located to the west of Bend in an area known as Happy Valley, near the prominent Broken Top peak. Notably, both Susan and Terance Skjersaa were residents of Bend.
Following the avalanche, the bodies of the couple were successfully recovered on the subsequent Tuesday by the diligent efforts of the sheriff’s office search and rescue team. The Central Oregon Avalanche Center provided insights into the incident, indicating that the avalanche occurred at an elevation of 6,700 feet (2,042 meters) on a south-facing slope. While the exact trigger of the avalanche remains unknown, there is a prevailing belief that Susan and Terance Skjersaa inadvertently set off the avalanche themselves during the course of their activities on that fateful Monday afternoon.
The search mission was initiated after concerned friends reported that the couple had failed to return as expected from their recreational outing on Monday. Deschutes County Sheriff Kent van der Kamp conveyed to KTVZ-TV that the Skjersaa couple had intended to snowmobile into an area where they could engage in their skiing pursuits. It is worth noting that the Skjersaa family holds a significant legacy within Bend, with roots dating back to the establishment of the city’s inaugural ski shop and the formation of the esteemed Skyliners Ski Club.
