Experienced skier dies at Squaw Valley

SQUAW VALLEY (KGO) -- At Squaw Valley on Wednesday professional skier C.R. Johnson died.

The Lake Tahoe native apparently hit his head on some exposed rocks.
Johnson suffered a traumatic brain injury in a ski accident in 2005. He was said to be feeling and skiing much better this year.
Johnson was 26-years-old.
Squaw Valley released the following statement early Wednesday evening:
This afternoon, lifelong Squaw Valley and Freeride team member, CR Johnson sustained a fatal fall skiing the Light Towers area. Witnesses reported that CR caught his edge on some exposed rocks as he initiated his first turn and fell downhill. CR impacted several rocks before coming to rest several hundred yards below the ridge.
Witnesses immediately notified ski patrol and medical personnel arrived on scene within minutes. Despite efforts to revive CR, he succumbed to his injuries. CR was wearing a helmet at the time of the incident.
The Light Towers area is expert terrain located up the ridge line from the Cornice II lift. As a professional skier, CR was no stranger to the Light Towers and had skied the area throughout his inspiring skiing career. CR has been a part of the Squaw Valley Family since birth and will be greatly missed. The loss of CR will deeply affect not only the local skiing community but skiers worldwide. Our condolences go out to his friends and family.