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Missing snowboarder found dead by Squaw Valley Ski Patrol

The Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue launched their search at about 9 p.m. Thursday after Zhang was reported missing at the Squaw Valley Resort in Olympic Valley south of Truckee. That's about the same time a 146 mph (235 kph) gust of wind was reported at the top of the resort.

A snowboarder who went missing Thursday was found dead Friday morning.

According to the Placer County County Sheriff's Department, search and rescue crews in the Sierra found Wenyu Zhang, 42, of Rocklin, after he was reported missing late Thursday night by friends.

Zhang went missing in the blizzard currently hitting Lake Tahoe.

His cause of death has not yet been undetermined. Zhang was wearing a helmet when he was found.

The Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue launched their search at about 9 p.m. Thursday after Zhang was reported missing at the Squaw Valley Resort in Olympic Valley south of Truckee. That's about the same time a 146 mph (235 kph) gust of wind was reported at the top of the resort.

The sheriff's office said in a Facebook post that the search was aided by a tracking program that reads a computer chip or reflector that some manufacturers attach to clothing, boots or helmets.

High winds and the threat of avalanches postponed the opening of several area ski resorts Friday morning. More than 3 feet (90 centimeters) of snow already has fallen at several resorts, including Mount Rose on the edge of Reno. Another foot (30 cm) of snow is possible by Saturday morning.

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