C. R. Johnson

Charles Russell Johnson III (August 10, 1983 – February 24, 2010) was a professional skier and a pioneer in the freeskiing movement. He became a top competitor and a favorite in ski films and was known for his progression, fearlessness, and passion for skiing. Johnson died in 2010 in a ski accident.

Childhood C.R. Johnson was born and raised in Truckee, Lake Tahoe California. He grew up skiing Squaw Valley Resort, a world-class ski area that is known for its extreme terrain.

Career In 1999, Johnson emerged on the freeskiing scene when he successfully landed a 1440. From 1999 until 2004, CR had a significant role in many ski films. He was skiing at Brighton Ski Resort in Utah on a powder day, when he and Kye Peterson, along with the snowboarders Zach Siebert & Tommi Ylianttila, launched off natural features under the Millicent chair, one after another. When help arrived he was immediately sedated and flown to the University of Utah Hospital. In 2007, Johnson began the ski season with the attitude and mindset that he would return to his original form. He continued to improve and in 2010 Johnson placed third at the Red Bull Line Catcher event in France. He had chosen an extreme rocky line to go down the mountain and caught an edge on an exposed rock which caused him to fall. A funeral service was held March 5, 2010.