Grand Teton - Jackson Hole
Cross-country skiing in Grand Teton National Park. Photo: J. Skaggs // NPS

JACKSON, Wyo. — Grand Teton National Park Rangers responded to an emergency request to help with a collapsed cross-country skier at approximately 1 p.m. on Wednesday, January 6.

According to the park service, Gary Sternberg, age 69, of Jackson, Wyoming, was skiing with others near Phelps Lake when he collapsed. Two members of the skiing party initiated CPR and another called park dispatch for help.

Rangers responded and arrived on scene to provide advanced life support, including CPR for approximately 45 minutes.  After prolonged resuscitation attempts, CPR was terminated.

The group started at the Granite Canyon Trailhead and skied along the Moose-Wilson Road and to Phelps Lake.  On the return trip from the lake Sternberg collapsed.  He died of an unknown medical issue.

Buckrail offers sincerest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased.

Jacob Gore was born and raised in Cheyenne, the capital city of Wyoming. As a proud Wyomingite, he loves to share his home with visitors from around the world. Spending years in Jackson and Alaska as an interpretive nature guide, he remains a photographer, traveler, storyteller, and avid hobbyist of all-things outdoors. Jacob enjoys bridging the connection between Jackson and the rest of the state.