( CNN ) -- The close-knit community of backcountry skiing was in mourning Monday , a day after an avalanche in Washington state killed a prominent judge in the extreme sport plus two other experienced skiers . The avalanche occurred Sunday in the Cascade Mountains about three miles west of the Stevens Pass ski area , said John Gifford , general manager of that resort . The dead included Stevens Pass marketing director Chris Rudolph , who was described on the ski area 's website as `` a man of endless charisma and charm , whose vision and dedication to Stevens Pass helped shape the mountain we all love today . '' Another victim was John Brenan , whom the website called `` an enthusiastic Leavenworth local , events host and former ski patroller . '' The third man killed was Jim Jack , head judge of the Subaru Freeskiing World Tour . With events from Chile to Canada , that competitive circuit bills itself on its website as the `` longest running and most prestigious competitive big mountain skiing tour in the world . '' According to that organization 's Facebook page , there was a 4 p.m. MT ( 6 p.m . ET ) memorial Monday at the Snowbird ski area in Utah to honor Jack , who was called `` our brother and ( an ) amazing freeskiing spirit , '' and the two other victims . More than 100 people attended the event , according to the Seattle Times . `` This is unreal , '' wrote one commenter . `` Jim Jack , you will be so missed . '' The three were among a group of about 12 skiers that included staffers from ESPN and Powder magazine , which both offered accounts of the incident . The designated out-of-bounds area they were all in was not closed , and they were allowed to be there , said Deputy Chris Bedker of the King County Sheriff 's Office . `` Nature happened , '' added Katie Larson , also from the sheriff 's office , noting that those in the group were experienced and had the required equipment . John Stifler , Powder magazine 's senior editor , said that Jack -- the seventh skiier to head down the slope -- triggered the avalanche . The barreling snow rapidly enveloped Jack , Brenan , Rudolph and professional skier Elyse Saugstad . Saugstad told The Seattle Times on Sunday that she recalled hearing someone yell `` Avalanche ! '' `` The next thing I knew , I was taking more than a 2,000-foot ride down an avalanche , tumbling and turning and tossing the entire way , '' she told the newspaper . On her website , Saugstad said that she ended up being buried partially and survived `` on account of the inflation of my ABS Avalanche Airbag Backpack . '' That device allowed her to keep her head and arms above the snow . After the avalanche hit , `` almost all '' the skiers were `` buried in snow , '' said Larson of the King County Sheriff 's Office . Those who could dug themselves out and then located Brenan , Jack and Rudolph . `` They ( began ) CPR and , unfortunately , were not able to resuscitate the victims , '' Larson said . On the same day and about 25 miles away , Karl Milanoski , 41 , was traversing an area he 'd `` skied many times '' when fresh snow `` collapsed to what was a cliff and Karl fell between 500 to 1,000 feet to his death , '' according to a website set up to raise memorial funds for his family . Milanoski , who is survived by a 10-year-old daughter , was `` an expert skier and snowboarder ( who was ) always very cautious , '' according to the website . A posting on the Facebook page of Alpental , a backcountry skiing area affiliated with the Summit at Snoqualmie around where this avalanche reportedly occurred , said , `` Our thoughts and prayers to all the families and friends of those lost in the mountains today . A tough day for the mountain community ! '' Backcountry skiing draws people looking for `` better turns ( and ) less people , '' said Michelle `` Meesh '' Hytner , who was not part of the Washington group and who recently survived a avalanche in Colorado . Hytner expressed fears that the risks -- at least this year -- may outweigh the rewards . `` There are a lot of reasons to go out of bounds , but ... I do n't want anything else to happen to anybody , '' she told CNN . `` It 's just so sad . '' CNN 's Dave Alsup contributed to this report .
NEW : A fourth man died in an avalanche elsewhere in Idaho , his family says . Jim Brenan , Jim Jack and Chris Smith are killed in the Cascade Mountains . Professional skier Karen Saugstad credits an extra backpack for her survival . She recalls swiftly ` ` for more than a 2,000-foot ride down an avalanche ''