Douglas County (Nev.) Search and Rescue personnel were able to safely rescue a snowboarder who became trapped in deep snow after leaving Heavenly Mountain Resort through a backcountry gate Tuesday afternoon. Rescuers located Michael Atkinson, 26, about 8 p.m. in Van Sickle Bi-State Park, said Douglas County Sheriff’s Sgt. Pat Brooks. Atkinson was riding in the Fire Break area when he got stuck. He was reported missing about 4 p.m., Brooks said. Rescuers responded to the area and were in the process of getting location information from Atkinson’s cell phone when they heard a voice and were able to contact …












