An experienced backcountry skier has died of an apparent heart attack while on the slopes with his friends. Bernard 'Bernie' Rosow, 45, collapsed while climbing Bloody Mountain in California's Sierra Nevada range on Thursday morning.
Details of the Incident
The group of skiers were heading to the summit ridge at about 11,400 feet when Rosow abruptly sat down, complained of sudden back pain and became unresponsive, a witness told SFGate. His friends immediately started performing CPR and contacted 911, prompting a massive rescue by a 'hasty team' of emergency responders. Rescuers arrived by helicopter and snowmobile, but despite strong and extensive efforts, Rosow was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the Mono County Sheriff's Office.
Rosow's Background
Rosow, a native of southern Vermont, was a ski influencer and longtime employee and snowcat operator at Mammoth Mountain resort. He learned to ski as a toddler and moved to the West Coast at 18 to pursue skiing and outdoor adventure. He spent over 25 years at Mammoth Mountain, skiing powder every day for the last 20 years, except on the day of his son's birth. He was known for his philosophy of 'work all night to ski all day' and had amassed a TikTok following of over 100,000 followers.
Family and Tributes
Rosow is survived by his partner Amber Feld and their eight-year-old son Alexander. Feld announced his death on Instagram, writing: 'We lost Bernie yesterday. Alexander's favorite person in the whole world, and my love. He was out doing what he loves to do hiking with friends up Bloody Mountain to ski down.' She recounted that when they first met 15 years ago, Rosow told her he planned to hike Bloody Mountain, and it remained one of his favorite places. Mammoth Mountain Ski Area spokesperson Emily van Greuning said he will be 'missed greatly' and that his legacy will never be forgotten.
Adventure sports photographer Christian Pondella, who was with Rosow on the mountain, said the tragedy unfolded quickly: 'Everything was normal, just a typical day. Just out of the blue he said, 'My back hurts, it hurts between my shoulders.' Two minutes before that he was having normal conversations.'
