SUMMIT COUNTY, Utah, March 11, 2018 (Gephardt Daily) — Family members have identified the victim of a fatal Deer Valley ski accident.
Ken Portz, 70, died at about 12:30 p.m. Friday after hitting a pole near the bottom of a race course.
“Lost my best friend yesterday,” son Kip Portz wrote on his Twitter page.
“Seems cliche Hollywood bulls*** to say he went out doing what he loves but in my dadâs case it is true. Running race gates at Deer Valley will be his final memory. This is a new pain.”
According to Ken Portz’ Facebook page, he was a retired banker from Durango, Colorado. Family photos document his longtime love of skiing.
Portz was participating in a short race on Deer Valley’s NASTAR course when he fell and hit the pole.
Emergency crews attempted life-saving measures until a LifeFlight helicopter arrived, but the man was pronounced deceased.
A Facebook post from friend called Portz “not only the best skier amongst us, but the kindest and most thoughtful man amongst us.”