Ashland snowboarder rescued from Cannon Mountain Monday

FRANCONIA — A snowboarder from Ashland was seriously hurt in a crash with a tree at Cannon Mountain on Monday afternoon, according to officers from New Hampshire Fish and Game.  

Just before 4:30 p.m. on March 30, Fish and Game officers learned a snowboarder was injured in the woods at Cannon Mountain Ski Area, Conservation Officer James Cyrs III wrote in a media release.

The snowboarder, later identified as Ethan Haust, 36, of Ashland, had been snowboarding at Cannon with friends when they decided to enter a zone not patrolled or maintained, outside the ski area’s facilities, Cyrs wrote. While navigating through a steep, rocky area, Haust “caught his edge” and hit a tree, resulting in a serious injury.

"It's all natural snow where they were," Cyrs said Tuesday afternoon. The location was not within the ski area, and was therefore not maintained. It's not uncommon across New England or beyond for skiers and snowboarders to venture past ski area boundaries. 

Cyrs could not identify Haust's injury, citing privacy reasons.

Haust was unable to get himself down the mountain. Someone in the group called ski patrol for help. Because of Haust’s location, and because the ski area closed at 4 p.m., someone called Fish and Game, while two ski patrollers came to Haust, and gave medical aid. 

Conservation officers and members of the Pemigewasset Valley Search and Rescue Team responded to the location, and due to the terrain and conditions, had to use ropes to safely bring Haust to the base of the mountain, where he was taken in a private car to a hospital for evaluation and treatment.

This time of year can be particularly hazardous on the mountain. Though the region experienced a winter with lots of snowfall, the changing temperatures contribute to a melt-freeze cycle, which can leave areas out-of-bounds more perilous and less forgiving. Cyrs said snowboarders who venture out of bounds should be prepared to render first aid to themselves and others. 

"Just be aware of the conditions, that they're changing," Cyrs said.