This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

A 63-year-old Utah man died Wednesday after hitting a tree while skiing at Snowbird Ski Resort.

Charles Johanson, from the Salt Lake Valley, was skiing at the resort with a friend when they got separated at about 11:30 a.m., according to Unified Police Lt. Justin Hoyal.

The friend began searching for him, and later the Snowbird Ski Patrol became involved in the search.

"They began searching for him, and found him near the base of the Little Cloud chairlift," Hoyal said. "It appears he was coming [down] the run, lost control ... and he struck a tree and then died there."

Hoyal said police were called to the area just before 5 p.m., after Johanson's body was located in the wooded area.

He called the man's death "a tragic accident," and said Johanson was wearing a helmet that day.

Twitter: @jm_miller