Connecticut Skier Killed In Vermont Backcountry Accident

STOWE, VT — A Connecticut man from Darien died after skiing off a cliff near Stowe Mountain Resort in Vermont Saturday, police said.

The man was identified as Andrew Hryb, 36, of Darien. Police said he and his brother, Alexander, 35, of Norwalk, were skiing at the resort and went off the trails, police said. They became disoriented and attempted to find their way out of the woods, according to Vermont State Police.

The brothers traveled an estimated 2 miles from the Sensation quad lift at Spruce Peak through the woods before coming to an ice climbing route known as Doug's Route, according to a report. It appears that Andrew Hryb lost his footing while trying to look over the edge of the approximately 220-foot cliff and fell, according to a report.

"The incident has been determined to be an accident and Andrew's injuries were consistent with having fallen from the cliff," Vermont State Police said in a statement.

The two men were reported to be avid skiers who were familiar with the mountain, police said.

At 6:36 p.m. Saturday, police received a 911 call about the brothers after they went off the trail. Vermont State Police, Stowe Mountain Rescue, Colchester Technical Rescue, the Cambridge Fire Department and several members of the Army Mountain Warfare School helped search for the skiers, according to a report. It took them about two hours to reach them and discover Andrew Hryb's body.

A skier who was returning rental equipment at New England Ski & Scuba in Vernon on Sunday said he spent the weekend at Stowe, which was enveloped in a somber mood after the news of the accident spread.