Authorities Call Off Search For Missing Sugar Bowl Ski Instructor

TRUCKEE (CBS SF) -- The Placer County Sheriff's Office suspended the search for missing ski instructor Carson May late Tuesday, according to authorities.

The 23-year-old went missing at Sugar Bowl Resort five days ago during white-out conditions. He has not been located despite days of intensive searching, the sheriff's office said.

May was last seen skiing at the resort near Donner Lake on Thursday. The Placer County Sheriff's Office investigators said a search for May was initiated Friday with the assistance of the Tahoe Nordic Team when May failed to return home from the resort Thursday night and was reported missing by friends Friday morning.

Authorities said May did not show up for his ride home Thursday. By Friday morning, it was clear that he never made it home and that his belongings were still in his locker at the resort.

Despite an avalanche warning in effect in the mountains around Lake Tahoe, rescuers continued their search for May on Friday after the latest winter storm dumped more than a foot of snow at the upper elevations. The search resumed over the three-day weekend before finally being concluded Tuesday.

Conditions during the five days of searching were treacherous due to frequent heavy snow. Placer County Sheriff's personnel, Sugar Bowl representatives and chaplains met with the May family Tuesday.

"It is with regret that we must suspend the efforts to locate Carson," read the press release issued by the Placer County Sheriff's Office.

The Office expressed appreciation to the many who volunteered to help with the search and the Sugar Bowl staff who worked tirelessly to assist in finding May despite the hazardous conditions.

Authorities said if new information becomes available and environmental conditions allow, there might be additional follow-up searches.