The snowboarder who died Sunday after attempting a terrain park jump in Snowmass was in his second season in Aspen, though he was from the East Coast, according to sources.<\/p>\n
Tyler Hamm, 20, appeared to embrace life in Aspen after moving from Charlotte, North Carolina, according to his Facebook page. He worked this season as a line cook at the Lynn Britt Cabin, an on-mountain restaurant just above the terrain park where he died, said Jeff Hanle, Aspen Skiing Co. spokesman.<\/p>\n
“Tyler was beloved by his friends and colleagues as a valuable and reliable team member, a skilled worker and a kind, funny and passionate person,” according to a statement Hanle released Monday from Hamm’s Skico friends and co-workers. “While Tyler was only 20, he showed great professional maturity and exhibited a desire to deepen his skills in the kitchen and be an asset to his team.<\/p>\n
“Tyler was a pro and a pleasure to work with. He was a keystone piece of our team, both professionally and spiritually. We miss him deeply.”<\/p>\n
Hamm was discovered by ski patrollers downhill from the first jump at the Makaha Terrain Park just after 11 a.m. with no pulse and not breathing, Hanle said. Patrollers tried to revive him but were unsuccessful, he said. Hamm was not wearing a helmet.<\/p>\n
No one apparently witnessed the jump that led to Hamm’s death, Hanle said.<\/p>\n
Pitkin County Deputy Coroner Eric Hansen said Monday the cause and manner of Hamm’s death was pending. An autopsy may not be necessary because investigators might have all the information they need to determine how Hamm died, he said.<\/p>\n
Besides a profile photo from December showing Hamm wearing a stocking cap and snowboard goggles, the latest addition to Hamm’s Facebook page was a video from March showing him attempting small jumps on his snowboard. “It’s the progression that counts,” is the title of the video.<\/p>\n
Other posts include a moonlight hike a year ago and snowboard descent of one of the area ski mountains, and other scenes from Aspen’s snowless fall of 2017.<\/p>\n
Hamm lived in Skico housing in Snowmass Village, Hanle said.<\/p>\n
An attempt to reach a Hamm family member Monday was not successful.<\/p>\n