Winter X Games freeskier C.R. Johnson dies in skiing accident at Squaw Valley

Professional freeskier C.R. Johnson died Wednesday on the slopes at Squaw Valley USA after hitting his head on a rock outcropping, the Associated Press reports.

Johnson, 26, was skiing with a group of friends when he fell while trying to negotiate a "very, very tight, rocky area," in a part of the resort known as the Light Towers area, said Jim Rogers, a member of the resort's ski patrol.

Johnson fell face-first, then spun around and struck the back of his head on rocks. Johnson was wearing a helmet at the time of the fall, but Rogers said the helmet took a serious blow.

The ski patrol was contacted shortly before 2 p.m. and tried to revive Johnson on the slopes, but were unsuccessful, according to Placer County Sheriff's Lt. Jeff Ausnow.

Johnson was a familiar sight on the slopes of the Lake Tahoe-area resort, where his father had been an avalanche forecaster.

"This is a man of very, very strong skiing talent," Rogers said. "This young man had been a fixture here at Squaw Valley for years.... He grew up at Squaw Valley."

Johnson was a regular halfpipe contender in Winter X Games competitions until 2005, and is credited for being the first skier to land a 1440 at age 15.

In December 2005, Johnson, filming at Utah's Brighton Ski Resort, suffered a head injury that left him in a coma and resulted in a 34-day hospitalization.

Scott Gaffney, co-director of Matchstick Productions and a good friend of Johnson's, told the Tahoe Daily Tribune that the Tahoe community lost "an inspiration and a happy person" in Johnson.

"I'm going to remember a lot of things about C.R.; we traveled all over the world together. But I think the thing most people are going to remember is his smiling face," Gaffney said. "He was a pretty special person. He just had the greatest outlook on life and was happy to be doing what he was doing."

Johnson, whose first name was Charles, had the following posted on his MySpace page:

I feel it's most important to keep it real and enjoy each moment, you know, take advantage of every opportunity life provides, because who knows what tomorrow may bring.

-- Kelly Burgess

Photo: Freeskier C.R. Johnson competing in the men's superpipe at X Games 9 in Aspen, Colo. Credit: Matt Morning / Shazamm / ESPN Image

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Comments

[Chris]

that's a tragedy, horrible news, cr was a pioneer in the world of freeskiing, a role model to so many kids out there on the mountains these days. please let this be a lesson to everyone, stay safe out there. we will miss you cr you are a true insperation to us all.

[a]

familiar site, or familiar sight? geez

[Jim McIntosh]

This is very sad. First Billy Pool, then Shane and now CR. I think the sport needs to evaluate the direction it's taking pushing pros to these limits. I think what makes me sad is that I completely understand the draw pushing the limits but I know that too often once a skier with this kind of talent is recognized people basically push them to every kicker, cliff, slot or cornice they can find to make money on recording the feet.

[Greg Gutierrez]

Prayers to his loved ones. A shame. We all walk that fine line. God called him home. He must have needed someone brave.

Greg Gutierrez
Zen and the Art of Surifng

[Kim]

My prayers go out to his family and friends. What a tragedy. Skiing accidents resulting in deaths seem to be happening more and more often. They should close that portion of the slope down if even a super experienced skier like Johnson fell there. Sounds to dangerous. Peace be with you CJ.

[Chelsea]

this is really upsetting,I'm just happy he did what he loved. rest in peace, you will always be remembered.
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