MT. BAKER, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Tragedy struck the Mount Baker Ski Area just days after its official opening.

Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Deb Slater says that their Search and Rescue team was called on Dec. 23 after a snowboarder was reported as overdue.

The victim, identified by family members as a 22-year-old man, had been separated from his group while traversing an out-of-bounds area.

Bellingham Mountain Rescue and Air Marine were able to locate the victim’s body but weren’t able to retrieve it until Dec. 24 due to terrain and weather concerns.

A cause of death has not been determined, but the victim’s family has set up a GoFundMe to cover funeral expenses.