Mass. Teen Missing for 2 Days Found Alive at Maine Ski Resort

(NECN: Amy Sinclair, Farmington, Maine) - A 17 year old skier from Medford, Mass. is recuperating at a Maine hospital after surviving 44 hours in below freezing temperatures on Sugarloaf Mountain.

Nicholas Joy told wardens he survived two cold nights by building a snow cave - a skill he'd seen on a reality TV show.

"Awesome," said his mother Donna Joy outside Franklin Memorial Hospital. "He's strong. Really amazing."

Joy went missing early Sunday afternoon after going out of bounds and into the woods by accident.

While there were 85 people including wardens, ski patrol, Navy Seals and Marines looking for Joy on the summit and the back side of the mountain, Joy walked out on his own at 9 a.m. Tuesday.

He was discovered on the Caribou Pond Road by a snowmobile rider who had decided to go out looking for him.

"He flagged me down and I gave him some peanuts and crackers before calling 911," said Joseph Paul of Warwick, Mass.

Joy's first request after he was checked out by doctors: A cheeseburger and fries, of which is his mother was happy to oblige.

He's expected to go home to Medford on Wednesday morning.

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