65-Year-Old Skier Dies After Crash at Mt. Bachelor

Authorities investigating cause of fatal accident on intermediate Wanoga Way trail

Mar. 12, 2026 at 10:51pm

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A 65-year-old skier from Portland, Oregon named Nigel Barry Young passed away on Monday, March 9, 2026, after crashing on the Wanoga Way trail at Mt. Bachelor ski resort. Ski patrol and emergency responders were unable to revive Young at the scene. The Deschutes County Sheriff's Office is investigating the cause of the fatal accident, though authorities have stated Young's injuries were not survivable.

Why it matters

This tragic incident serves as a somber reminder of the inherent risks involved in skiing, even on familiar intermediate runs at a skier's home mountain. The Mt. Bachelor community is mourning the loss, and the investigation aims to determine if any safety improvements could help prevent similar accidents in the future.

The details

According to reports, Young was skiing with three friends when the crash occurred around 2:22 p.m. on the Wanoga Way trail, located on the resort's east side. Mt. Bachelor Ski Patrol arrived quickly but were unable to revive Young, who was pronounced dead at the scene at 2:56 p.m. Authorities confirmed Young was wearing a helmet at the time, but the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office stated his injuries were not survivable. Since Young's companions were skiing ahead of him, there were no direct witnesses to the fall, and the investigation is ongoing to determine the exact cause.

  • The incident occurred around 2:22 p.m. on Monday, March 9, 2026.
  • Young was pronounced dead at the scene at 2:56 p.m. on March 9, 2026.

The players

Nigel Barry Young

A 65-year-old skier from Portland, Oregon who passed away after a crash on the Wanoga Way trail at Mt. Bachelor.

Mt. Bachelor Ski Patrol

The ski patrol team that responded to the incident and attempted to revive Young.

Deschutes County Sheriff's Office

The local law enforcement agency investigating the cause of the fatal accident.

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What they’re saying

“Seeing such a tragedy occur on these familiar slopes is a heavy reminder of the inherent risks found in the mountains we love.”

— Sage Cattabriga-Alosa (Teton Gravity Research)

What’s next

The Deschutes County Sheriff's Office is coordinating with Mt. Bachelor staff to complete a full investigation into the cause of the accident.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the need for constant vigilance and respect for the mountains, even on well-known runs at a skier's home resort. The Mt. Bachelor community is coming together to mourn the loss and support the Young family, while also looking to learn from this tragedy to potentially improve safety measures in the future.