Man dies in apparent accident at Whatcom ski area

A Bellingham man died in an apparent snowboarding accident last weekend at the Mt. Baker Ski Area.

William Kamphausen, 44, was found unresponsive in deep snow near Panorama Dome about 11:15 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office said Monday, Dec. 12.

Kamphausen was snowboarding alone on Saturday, Dec. 10, and was the apparent victim of a “deep snow immersion,” said Gwyn Howat, ski area CEO.

“Our heartfelt condolences go out to his friends and family for this loss as well as to our Mt. Baker community that he was a part of,” Howat told The Bellingham Herald.

He appeared to have been riding alone and had not been reported missing, Howat said.

Another group of snowboarders was riding in the “extreme, rarely frequented area” and saw part of his snowboard sticking out, Howat said.

Panorama Dome, sometimes called “Pan Dome,” is at the 5,000-foot level.

“The snowboarder was immersed in the deep snow for an unknown amount of time and was unresponsive when he was discovered,” Howat said.

Bystanders began rescue efforts, including CPR, and the Mt. Baker Ski Patrol also helped with emergency medical care, she said.

Firefighters were sent from Glacier and Bellingham, according to the emergency services app Pulse Point.

Snow was falling heavily Saturday with a winter storm advisory in effect and up to 2 feet of snow possible, according to the National Weather Service.

Mount Baker Highway was covered in compact snow and ice with chains required, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation.

Avalanche danger was high on the west slopes of the North Cascades, according to the Northwest Avalanche Center.

But Howat said that Kamphausen was not caught in an avalanche. There were trees nearby but it wasn’t known if he fell in a tree well, Howat said.

Mt. Baker Ski Area is about 50 miles east of Bellingham in Whatcom County.