Serial ski thief caught on camera: suspect linked to thefts across Utah resorts

Skis on a rack. Photo: Sarah Sheedy // Unsplash

PARK CITY, Utah – A 22-year-old suspect has been linked to multiple ski thefts after being identified through Deer Valley Resort’s surveillance cameras and ticket scanners. Authorities say the suspect admitted to stealing skis from Brighton and is also believed to be involved in thefts at other nearby ski resorts.

On March 12, a guest at Deer Valley reported their skis missing from Snow Park Lodge. Security footage allegedly shows the suspect placing his skis on the same rack as the victim’s before later returning to take the victim’s skis to a black Subaru Outback. The suspect then changed out of his mask, helmet, and goggles before retrieving his own skis.

Further investigation revealed footage from March 15 showing the suspect using the stolen skis, authorities said. Additional video evidence from April 8, 2024, appears to show him taking another pair. Between April 2024 and March 2025, the suspect was reportedly recorded leaving Deer Valley with at least four different sets of skis. Authorities believe many of these thefts were either unreported or filed in other jurisdictions.

Before making an arrest, police surveilled an apartment near Brigham Young University, where the suspect lived, and observed skis matching the stolen ones attached to his Subaru. A search of the residence on March 27 reportedly uncovered more skis linked to thefts from the past year.

Investigators also found that the suspect, who holds an Ikon Pass, had skied at Snowbird and Solitude, where additional thefts are under review. He was arrested on March 27, booked into the Summit County Jail, and later released. As of April 1, no charges had been filed, but the suspect has been banned from returning to Deer Valley as a condition of his release.