Snowboarder blamed for causing California avalanche

A California ski resort is pursuing criminal charges against a snowboarder who became an online video sensation.

29-year-old Christian Mares was wearing a GoPro while snowboarding at Sugar Bowl resort when an avalanche hit.

In the video, you can see the whiteout conditions as Mares takes a tumble down the hill.

Mares says he was trying to grab a tree, but missed it.

He ended up buried about chest deep, but was able to climb his way out.

The resort says that mountain has been closed to the public since 2010, and claims Mares was the one who triggered the avalanche.