Squaw Valley ski patroller killed in avalanche accident identified

OLYMPIC VALLEY,Calif. (KGO) -- Squaw Valley ski resort reopened to the public Wednesday after a ski patroller died on the job.

42-year-old Joe Zuiches was killed on Tuesday after an explosive device used to control avalanches detonated.

RELATED: Avalanche kills man on ski patrol at Squaw Valley

The resort says team members are "deeply saddened" and they only decided to reopen on Wednesday after talking with ski patrol.

Leadership asked that they run the mountain in honor of their friend Zuiches.

A GoFundMe account started by the community has raised more than $134,000 for funeral expenses.

Click here to visit the GoFundMe page for Zuiches.