On Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at approximately 1 pm, New York State Police responded to Whiteface Mountain Ski Area in Wilmington, Essex County, NY, for a reported skiing incident.
State Police later reported that Michael E. Vacek Jr., age 44, of Atlanta, Georgia, had been reported missing at about 10 am by the group of friends he was skiing with. The report was made to Whiteface Mountain Ski Patrol after Vacek failed to return while skiing the trails.
Whiteface Mountain Ski Patrol initiated a search and located Vacek in the tree line along the Upper/Lower Skyward Trail.
A Ski Patrol Supervisor was notified, Vacek was transported to the medical building, where life-saving measures continued by the local fire and rescue departments but were unsuccessful. Vacek was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The Essex County Coroner responded and ordered the removal of the body, which was transported to Glens Falls Hospital. An autopsy is scheduled for Friday at Glens Falls Hospital.
Photo of Whiteface Mountain from Lake Placid Airport courtesy Wikimedia user Mwanner.
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