Snow lovers keep rescue teams busy

A skier who became lost after straying from runs at Heavenly Mountain Resort was rescued Sunday night with the help of a family-talk radio that he carried, authorities said.

The 27-year-old Colorado man's call for help was picked up on another family's radio system in the South Shore area. The El Dorado County Sheriff's Office was notified, and the department called out its search and rescue team.

A CALSTAR helicopter crew, using night-vision goggles, found the man, and directed a search-and-rescue snowmobile team to his location, said search and rescue coordinator, Detective Greg Almos.

The man, who had been lost for several hours, was in good condition, Almos said.

In a separate incident Sunday afternoon, another skier needed rescuing after he became injured in an out-of-bounds area beneath the Heavenly gondola, Almos said.

The Heavenly ski patrol reached the man, who was in steep terrain in fairly deep powder, and moved him to an open area.

A California Highway Patrol helicopter hoisted the man from the area and transported him to Barton Memorial Hospital. The man had shoulder and rib injuries, Almos said.

The Lake Valley Fire Protection District and South Lake Tahoe Fire Department assisted in the rescue.

In Nevada, a snowboarder was reported lost around 7:30 p.m.

The Douglas County Sheriff's Office began calling out its search and rescue team, but the call was canceled after the Heavenly ski patrol found the snowboarder about 9 p.m., according to the sheriff's office.