Memorial set for Aspen snowboarder

By Kevin Burton
Aspen Correspondent
Glenwood Springs, CO Colorado
April 6, 2008

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ASPEN, Colorado — A skiing and riding memorial service for Wallace Westfeldt, who fell to his death Friday in the Tonar Bowl near Aspen Highlands, will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday at Sandy Park off the old Elk Camp lift near the picnic table at Snowmass Ski Area.

Afterward, there will be an indoor gathering, possibly at 3 p.m. at the Snowmass Conference Center, according to an e-mail from Westfeldt’s father, Weems. There, a slide presentation of Wallace’s “magic in the snow” will take place, as well as shared memories from those in attendance. All events are open to the public.

Westfeldt, 22, was a world-class freeride snowboarder, and was part of a Skico-sponsored backcountry film shoot by Futuristic Film, a Denver-based production company, when the accident occurred, a skier with the group said Friday.

“We have received the worst blow we could imagine and, at the same time, the deepest kindness and warm hearts of the people of this valley,” Weems Westfeldt, the victim’s father said in an e-mail.

“We are moved and grateful to hear, both directly and indirectly, from all of the friends and families and colleagues … who have been touched by him.”

In a telephone interview Saturday, Weems Westfeldt said he did not know the cause of death, but said he expected to hear some time today.

“He was pretty much out of sight [when he fell],” he said. “I know very few details.”