Searchers have recovered the body of a northwestern Montana physician who went missing while backcountry skiing in February.

Flathead County Sheriff Chuck Curry says the body of 62-year-old Jonathan Torgerson of Columbia Falls was recovered Saturday in an avalanche runout zone on the north side of Whitefish Mountain.

Curry says it appears Torgerson was caught in a small avalanche on Feb. 17.

Torgerson was reported missing that night after skiing alone outside the boundary of Whitefish Mountain Resort just before a storm moved in, bringing strong winds and a foot (30 centimeters) of snow to the area.

The sheriff says search dogs and the recent warmer weather aided in the recovery of Torgerson's body.