Pagosa Springs, CO – Southern Colorado’s Wolf Creek Ski Area is closed today after its ski patrol director perished in an avalanche early this morning.n”On Monday, November 22, 2010 at 7:45 a.m. our Wolf Creek Ski Patrol Director, while working to protect others, was caught in an avalanche which, to our great sadness, he did not survive,” ski area officials confirmed this afternoon in a prepared statement. “Wolf Creek’s management and all its employees wish to express our deepest regrets at this loss of a wonderful man and close friend. Our sympathy and condolences go out to his wife and two children.”

While the ski area’s statement did not specifically name the victim, he has been identified on Wolf Creek’s official Facebook page as Scott Kay.

Further details regarding the incident are not yet available. Mineral County Sheriff Fred Hosselkus told the Denver Post newspaper that he received a call for assistance from the ski area at around 10:30 a.m. for an avalanche fatality but had no further information.

Wolf Creek will remain closed for the remainder of today, and will reopen on Tuesday morning at 8:30 a.m.