Search for Missing Snowboarder Resumes Amid Severe Winter Conditions

VAIL, Colo. — The search for Connor Gill, a 26-year-old snowboarder missing at Vail Mountain since Friday morning, will continue on Monday amid challenging winter weather conditions. Gill, who was last seen around 8:50 a.m. on Friday, was reported missing to Vail Ski Patrol by a friend at approximately 3:15 p.m.

According to Sgt. Bob Silva of the Eagle County Sheriff’s Office, Gill is an intermediate snowboarder familiar with the Vail area. Witnesses report that he was dressed in an orange jumpsuit, wearing a gray helmet, and carrying a Solomon snowboard and Smith goggles. He is described as 6 feet tall and weighing 195 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes.

Rescue efforts began immediately after Gill was reported missing, with Vail Ski Patrol and later Vail Mountain Rescue teams searching the Avanti Express route area and Game Creek Bowl. Heavy snowfall, which has accumulated to 27 inches over the weekend, and strong winds have complicated the search, limiting visibility and hindering aerial support from helicopters and drones.

Despite the adverse weather, search teams utilized tracking dogs and planned to incorporate drones on Sunday if conditions improved. Rescue personnel faced challenging circumstances, with snow falling sideways and heavy winds reported around the Avanti area.

“The new snow makes things difficult, but we are committed to locating him,” Silva said. He also noted that search efforts will be scaled back on Monday in response to ongoing weather challenges, allowing teams time to rest.

The Eagle County Sheriff's Office is urging anyone who may have been on Vail Mountain Friday to review any photos or videos taken that could provide insights into Gill’s whereabouts. Any information should be reported to the Vail Public Safety Communications Center at 970-479-2201.

As the search resumes, the area remains under a winter storm watch, with forecasters predicting continued heavy snow and winds up to 40 mph through Tuesday morning.