Lindsey Van Why, 43, was on his last run of the day when he hit a tree on the "Cascades" intermediate-level trail at the ski resort near Truckee, sheriff's spokeswoman Dena Erwin said.
Van Why was skiing with a friend who had skied ahead and reported the incident when his companion never made it down the trail, Erwin said.
Van Why was found on the run with severe head and facial wounds. Emergency responders tried to save his life but were unsuccessful and he was pronounced dead at the scene, she said.
He was not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident, she said.
Van Why was a safety engineer at the Milpitas-based construction company XL Construction, according to his LinkedIn profile and a woman answering the phone at company headquarters.
An online fundraising page has been set up to raise money for his wife, Robin, and his two sons, Tanner and Cooper.
As of this morning, more than $17,900 had been donated to the family through the YouCaring site. Family and friends are hoping to raise $50,000 to help the family with immediate expenses and create education savings accounts for the two boys.
Donations can be made online at http://www.youcaring.com/memorial-fundraiser/support-the-van-why-family/139599.
