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SNOWBIRD — A 63-year-old man was killed Wednesday after police say he hit a tree while skiing at Snowbird.
Charles Johanson, of Salt Lake City, was skiing with a friend when the two became separated, said Unified Police Lt. Justin Hoyal.
The friend later contacted the Snowbird Ski Patrol about 4 p.m., and a search was launched. Johanson's body was found in a wooded area near the base of the Little Cloud chairlift just before 5 p.m.
"It looked like he had lost control and gone over into some trees and hit a tree," Hoyal said.
Johanson was wearing a helmet, he said.
Friends and family of Johnanson mourned the loss of the avid skier and former University of Utah football player who lived life full throttle.
My dad was the ultimate guy. Anyone who he touched, anyone who he met he made an impression on and touched in some way.
–Cortney Johanson
Johanson's daughter, Cortney Johanson, said many of her father's football friends came by their house Wednesday night. She expects to hear many great stories over the next few days as they celebrate her father's life.
"My dad was the ultimate guy," Cortney Johanson said. "Anyone who he touched, anyone who he met, he made an impression on and touched in some way."
Charles Johanson was a regular skier at Snowbird over several decades, logging as many as 100 days a season.
"He loved to do everything to the max," Cortney Johanson said. "He was a fast skier. He took a lot of chances."
And he skied whenever he could. The day Cortney's sister was born, her dad was on the slopes.
"On a powder day, while my mom was going into labor," Cortney Johanson said. "You had to pull him off the slopes to get him to come in for the birth of his daughter."
In the early 70s, Charles Johanson was a standout center on the Ute football team.
"He bleeds for the U.," Cortney Johanson said of her father.
His daughter said he only missed three home games after he graduated, and he was the Crimson Warrior on the field for a number of years — leading the charge for Ute fans.
"I wasn't allowed to tell any of my friends," Cortney Johanson said. "It was kind of his Superman suit that he changed into before the games."
A tribute in his school colors was made to Charles Johanson at his home Thursday night.
"He was a true Ute through and through," Cortney Johanson said.
