Ski Safety Blog

Need for Safety Bars on Lift Chairs

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:11:23 -0700

A young boy riding a ski lift at the Hidden Valley Ski & Snowboard Area in Manitowoc County, Wisconsin, slid off the seat and was dangling 25 feet in the air. He was spotted gripping on to his father's hand below the chair on Sunday afternoon and a crowd quickly gathered below to try to catch him. He was successfully dropped into the arms of volunteer rescuers. A happy ending indeed, but the photos here clearly illustrate why all chair lifts should be equipped with safety bars.

Second Lift Fall Fatality of Season

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 16:18:30 -0700

A University of Utah student fell 30 feet from a chairlift at a Park City ski resort and died on Monday. The 19 year old, was riding the lift at the Canyons Resort with friends Sunday when she suffered a seizure and fell.

Fatal Snow Depression at Steamboat

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 13:56:17 -0700

The son of former University of Illinois interim chancellor and vice president, Robert Easter, has died in a snowboarding accident. He died last Tuesday after being found unconscious by other skiers at the Steamboat Ski Resort on Monday. The individuals performed CPR until ski patrol arrived at the scene. He was transported to Yampa Valley Medical Center, then flown to a Denver hospital.

Forest Service Concerned about Avalanche Danger

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 16:00:06 -0700

A U.S. Forest Service review of the two recent inbounds avalanche deaths at Colorado ski areas will be aimed at determining whether the resorts followed all required snow safety procedures required under their permits, and whether any changes are needed, according to Eagle/Holy Cross district ranger Dave Neely.

Second Avalanche Death In-bounds at Winter Park

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 15:45:35 -0700

A Colorado man skiing the open trees on the right side of Trestle at Mary Jane was caught in a 40-foot-wide slide that ran 60 vertical feet. He was snowed under just before closing time on Mary Jane Mountain. As with most avalanche victims, he died of asphyxiation. Ski patrol unsuccessfully attempted to revive him.

Teen Dies in Vail Avalanche

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 15:37:25 -0700

A Vail teen died Sunday of chest injuries he suffered in an avalanche inside the Vail Mountain ski area. The thirteen year old was skiing Vail Mountain on Sunday after a storm dropped fresh snow. He was skiing with friends in the area of Prima Cornice, where he and at least two others were caught in an avalanche. The other two escaped and skied down to Chair 11, where they told a lift operator about the avalanche and their missing friend.

Deadly Week on NY Ski Slopes

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 15:33:06 -0700

Two ski accidents claimed lives in New York State last week. The first occurred on Wednesday, a worker at the Hunter Mountain Ski Resort was killed when he slipped on ice, on a steep embankment then struck a rock and a tree.

LifeFlight Credited with Rescue of Snowboarder

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 15:27:59 -0700

A New Hampshire man who was critically injured when he snowboarded into a tree at the Sugarloaf ski resort Saturday was saved by a LifeFlight helicopter crew and is expected to recover fully, his father said Tuesday. The young man fractured most of the bones in his face and suffered severe internal injuries. He remained in critical condition Tuesday, but doctors said he has no brain or spinal damage and should recover fully after a series of surgeries in the coming weeks.

Ski Malfunction May Have Caused Fatal Slide

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 15:17:54 -0700

A 25-year-old Denver woman is believed to have experienced an equipment problem before sliding 1,500 feet to her death Saturday at Silverton Mountain. San Juan County Coroner Keri Metzler on Thursday said the skier may have had a ski pop off and been unable to stop before her long slide.

Two Die in Snowboarding Accidents in Aspen Area

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 15:06:35 -0700

Two men died in separate accidents yesterday on the slopes of Aspen Highlands and on Burnt Mountain, a popular out-of-bounds area adjacent to the Snowmass ski area.

Snowboarder Avoids Collision, Hits Sign Post

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 15:03:29 -0700

A British tourist was killed in a snowboard accident on Tuesday, Jan. 17, at Heavenly Mountain Resort. According to the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office, the victim was snowboarding on the resort's Tamarack run at about 3 p.m. when he attempted to avoid another guest, left the run and hit a sign post. He suffered blunt force trauma to his chest during the crash.

Woman Skier Dies at Colorado's Silverton Mountain

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 14:54:50 -0700

A Denver woman died apparently from injuries suffered in a fall at Silverton Mountain Saturday, according to multiple sources. The young woman was on a guided ski tour within bounds when, according to a San Juan County Sheriff's Department report, she slid some 1,500 feet down the Riff Run. The accident reportedly took place shortly after 10 a.m.

Canadians Consider Mandatory Helmets

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 14:33:36 -0700

Hockey is often portrayed as Canada's most dangerous winter pastime, with a recent focus on head injuries such as concussions. But a study published by the Canadian Institute for Health Information suggests that a family trip to a ski hill is more likely to end in injury than lacing up skates and stepping onto an ice surface.

Ski Industry Sues over Water Rights

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 14:11:51 -0700

The National Ski Areas Association has sued the Forest Service over a revised water clause in ski-area permitting that requires ski areas to transfer some water rights to the government. The lawsuit, filed in Colorado's U.S. District Court, asserts that the November 2011 clause is a "stunning and unprecedented directive" inserted into ski-area permits "to control and seize privately owned water rights acquired and used under state law."

Teen Has Fatal Fall from Ski Lift Chair

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 18:34:58 -0700

An Upton teen was killed last week Street, 18, has been identified as the young man killed in an accident last week at the Ski Ward, venue while attending a practice at Ski Ward, MA. He was with his teammates from Nipmuc Regional High School. The student fell approximately 30 feet and landed face down on the ground.