> At a Glance
> – Chris Scott Thomason, 42, was buried by an avalanche on Castle Peak, Truckee, Jan. 5
> – His five-person snowmobiling crew located him with beacons and performed CPR
> – An off-duty Truckee Fire medic joined rescue efforts, but Thomason could not be revived
> – Why it matters: A prepared, experienced group still faced tragedy, underscoring backcountry risk for families
A fun-day snowmobiling outing in California’s Sierra Nevada ended in heartbreak when Oregon father and dealership co-owner Chris Scott Thomason was killed in an avalanche while riding with friends.
The Incident
The group of five experienced riders left Johnson Peak and reached Castle Peak without issue on Monday, Jan. 5. All wore avalanche beacons; one member was CPR-certified.
On the return trip, snow released on the mountain’s back side and swept Thomason under.
Nevada County Sheriff’s Office reported the team “immediately tracked Thomason’s beacon and began digging.” An off-duty Truckee Fire medic who happened by took over CPR, but Thomason died at the scene.
A Family Left Grieving
Thomason co-owned Thomason Auto Group in Bend and leaves behind his wife, Kerri Marf Kurtz, and three daughters.
Kerri Marf Kurtz wrote on Facebook:
> “I have not stopped crying since I was told he is gone-my worst nightmare.”
She described telling the girls with their mother Stefanie as:
> “The most raw experience I have ever been through.”
Key Takeaways
- Even well-equipped, experienced riders can trigger avalanches
- Rapid beacon location and CPR weren’t enough to save Thomason
- The tragedy leaves three daughters and a wife coping with sudden loss
As backcountry season continues, the incident serves as a sober reminder that preparation, while critical, cannot eliminate all danger.
