Mount Ruapehu, New Zealand – The body of an Italian ski instructor was found on Mt. Ruapehu on Sunday afternoon.

Elias Hofer, 25, was believed to have slipped on rocks at the base of a steep area of the mountain known as the Pinnacles at Whakapapa Ski Area following his work shift on Thursday. He was not scheduled to work on Friday and the ski area was closed due to wet weather on Saturday, so two full days passed before Hofer was noticed missing by his co-workers.

The same weather hampered efforts to find Hofer. His body was located on Sunday afternoon by the Taupo Rescue Helicopter and members of the Ruapehu Alpine Rescue Organization, according to New Zealand Police Ruapehu Area Commander, Inspector Steve Mastrovich.

This was Hofer’s first season working at Whakapapa. An autopsy will be conducted to determine the cause of death.