Authorities said the massive avalanche occurred Tuesday afternoon near the small resort town of Girdwood in the southern part of the state. The three skiers were part of a heli-skiing group and became trapped in the avalanche.

They were identified on Thursday as David Linder, a 39-year-old who was born and raised in Mankato but most recently lived in Miami; Jeremy Leif, a 38-year-old who lived in Minnesota who parents live in Mankato; and Charles Eppard, 39, who grew up in Mankato and who attended Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, a college spokesman confirmed.

Linder was the son of the late radio station owner John Linder, and co-owned the Mankato Radio Group. Mankato Radio owns several radio stations in southern Minnesota, including the four stations of Lakeland Media in Willmar. Managing Partner Matt Ketelsen says the death of David Linder left them stunned...

Three men originally from Minnesota are feared dead after being caught in an avalanche while heli-skiing in Alaska. The Alaska Department of Public Safety reports that rescue operations continue on Thursday after the three men were buried beneath at least 40 feet of snow following the half-a-mile long avalanche near the resort town of Girdwood on Tuesday.

Radio Mankato identified one of the skiers caught in the backcountry avalanche as David Linder, who was part of a heli-skiing group.