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Inbounds slide claims 1 at Snowmass.

Sad news. Article says he was in a closed area but, as of 12:30, Ladder was open today.

SNOWMASS — Nicholas Blake Davidson, 25, was killed Thursday afternoon when he jumped off a cliff in a closed section of Hanging Valley Wall at the Snowmass Ski Area and was caught in an avalanche, according to Pitkin County Deputy Coroner Scott Thompson.

Davidson, a Snowmass Village resident, used the first name of Blake, Thompson said. He had been training to be a sushi chef at Kenichi in Aspen.

Davidson was skiing with two others in the Ladders section of the Wall when the avalanche occurred at about 1:10 p.m., according to Thompson. Davidson jumped from a cliff band, was caught in an avalanche and carried into an area with trees, the deputy coroner said.

Ski patrol members who were riding the Elk Camp lift saw that the area had slid and notified their headquarters, Thompson said. Their report came in simultaneously with reports from Snowmass customers, he said.

According to a press release from the Aspen Skiing Co., the ski patroller called in the slide at 1:10 p.m. and patrol responded with search crews and an avalanche dog. Davidson was found at 1:32 p.m.

Skico spokesman Jeff Hanle said Davidson showed no vital signs when found, though medical treatment was initiated immediately. He was pronounced dead on the scene at 1:59 p.m.

Thompson said Davidson was wearing a helmet. The cause of death “wasn’t obvious,” he said. An autopsy is scheduled to be performed in Grand Junction Friday to determine if Davidson died of trauma or suffocation.

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I am a friend of blakes. Have

I am a friend of blakes. Have known him for 3 or 4 years. I found out this friday morning on the aspentimes web site. Read the article and had to read it again. Gawd I feel awful. I have tears in my eyes just writting this. This guy was so cool. He would hang with anybody. Just super chill. He would show you his favorite line at any of the local mountains if you rode up with him. His GF left for Sacramento this fall to go to law school. All he wanted was to ride and see his girl. F%$K
I spoke with the guy he was ridding with, Mike. Apparently (as told by Mike) they traversed across from a nearby run that was open. Mike says they were joking about who would bag the cliff, when mike wanted to stop for a whiz. Blake took off with plans of meeting underneath. When Mike did not see Blake and noticed the slide he started probing with his snowboard. After about ten minutes another skier happened upon the scene and asked what Mike was doing. Apparently the skier started probing with his pole and hit Blakes helmet after a couple of minutes. His head was only 12 to 18 inches under the snow and his hands were up with one extended and one by his face. By the time they got his head exposed they realized that he was face down and could not get him over to perform CPR. About this time patrol arrived.
No charges have been filed against Mike for "ducking" a rope. I am wondering about this as all the news reports that I have seen have reported that they were inbounds but in closed area. I am not saying SkiCo is not telling the truth, but as long as I have known Blake he plays by the rules, but might bend them a little.
Apparently there will be a celebration of Blakes life Sat Dec 23 at the Lava lounge in DT Asspen. I'm sure his family would love to see all his friends there.
I called his phone yesterday just to hear his voice one more time.
RIP Blake...I'll miss you buddy

heartbreaking..

I just want to send my condolences to his family and to all here who knew him.It's always hard to lose someone close.Just try and take solace in the fact he passed doing something he, as well as all of us hold so close to our hearts.

buy the ticket, take the ride.

✠™

Just wanted to say my thoughts are the Davidson family and with all the shred community out in Aspen

Goodbye lil brother...

Blake was a very dear close personal friend of mine and it breaks my heart to have lost such an amazing spirit in my life. I am sorry that I wasnt there for you bro and I hope that you had a smile from ear to ear when you passed. You will be missed very much here in our community and I will ride every day for you hommie. You stood strong as a pilar in our family and our foundation will never be as solid with out you Blake. I will miss your excitement and passion on a pow day but I know that you will ride with me in spirit till we meet again.

prayers...

...going out to blakes family and all you aspen brethren/shredders...

Bigger than I expected

4 foot crown, 26 yards wide, 50 yards long.

So Sorry!

To all my homies back in Aspen I am very sorry to hear of one of our friends. All my LOVE to friends and Blake's Family my he rest in peace.
ED