The Central Oregon community is reeling from a heartbreaking tragedy after a married couple, deeply cherished by friends and family, was found dead beneath an avalanche while pursuing their passion for backcountry skiing. Terance “Terry” Olaf Skjersaa, 57, and Susan “Renee” Skjersaa, 52, residents of Bend, Oregon, were identified by the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, as the victims of the devastating incident. The couple perished in an avalanche on Monday, February 17, in the rugged terrain of Happy Valley, a popular winter recreation area nestled between the Bend Watershed and Broken Top Mountain in the Cascade Range. Their deaths have left a void in a tight-knit community where their love for the outdoors and their enduring legacy in the local skiing culture were widely admired.
The fateful outing began like many others for Terry and Renee, who were seasoned backcountry enthusiasts with a profound connection to the mountains. They set out from their home on Skyliners Road west of Bend early Monday morning, riding snowmobiles toward Happy Valley, a spot they frequented for its pristine slopes and challenging terrain. Friends described their routine as almost second nature—parking their snowmobiles, making a few exhilarating ski runs, and returning home. But this time, as evening approached and the couple failed to return, concern quickly escalated into action. Around 7 p.m., friends and neighbors rallied, using cellphone signals to trace Terry’s last known location. What they discovered shortly before midnight was a scene of unimaginable sorrow: both Terry and Renee buried under a mass of snow and debris, lifeless after being caught in a sudden and violent avalanche.
The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office responded swiftly, dispatching two search-and-rescue team members to the site overnight. By Tuesday morning, additional personnel joined the effort, recovering the couple’s bodies from the avalanche field near Snowmobile Trail 8. Sheriff Kent van der Kamp expressed the community’s collective grief in a statement, saying, “I am deeply saddened by the tragic loss of the couple who lost their lives in the avalanche while enjoying the Central Oregon backcountry. Their long history in our community and the lives they touched are a testament to the spirit and resilience that make Central Oregon such a special place to live.” He extended condolences on behalf of the sheriff’s office and the broader region, underscoring the profound impact of the loss.
Details of the avalanche, pieced together by the Central Oregon Avalanche Center, paint a picture of a sudden and overwhelming force. Occurring at an elevation of 6,700 feet on a south-facing slope, the slide—classified as a “D2” storm slab avalanche—carried a crown height of about 18 inches and ran 320 vertical feet into a dense cluster of trees. While the precise trigger remains under investigation, experts suggest it’s likely the skiers inadvertently set off the avalanche themselves, a common occurrence when snowpack hovers on the brink of instability. That day, the avalanche danger in the Central Cascades was rated “considerable,” a level that demands heightened caution and expertise—qualities Terry and Renee were known to possess in abundance.
The Skjersaa name carries a storied legacy in Central Oregon, stretching back over a century. Terry’s grandparents, Olaf and Grace Skjersaa, opened Bend’s first ski shop in 1939, laying the foundation for a family tradition that shaped the region’s skiing culture. Terry grew up immersed in this world, later studying the ski business and working as a sales representative for prominent outdoor brands before transitioning to a career as a real estate broker. Renee, a dedicated educator, spent nearly two decades with Bend-La Pine Schools, most recently helping high school students forge paths to internships and careers. Together, they raised two daughters, Ellie and Jade, instilling in them the same love for skiing that defined their lives.
Friends and neighbors remember Terry and Renee as a perfect complement to one another—Terry with his quiet warmth and contagious smile, Renee with her strength and dedication to nurturing others. “They were like true love, not even soul mates, but twin flames,” said Heather Johnson, a close friend, reflecting on their bond. The couple’s deaths have sent shockwaves through Bend, a city where their roots ran deep and their contributions were felt across generations. As the investigation continues and the community mourns, authorities are urging backcountry travelers to exercise extreme caution, emphasizing the unpredictable power of nature even for the most experienced adventurers.
This tragedy serves as a somber reminder of the risks inherent in the wild beauty of Oregon’s mountains, a place Terry and Renee called home in every sense. Their legacy, woven into the fabric of Central Oregon’s outdoor heritage, will endure, even as their absence leaves an indelible mark on those who knew and loved them.