Colorado Sun: At least 14 people died on Colorado slopes this ski season
All of the deaths that resulted from collisions and falls happened on intermediate or beginner slopes
Nick Lansing/Special to The Colorado Sun
At least 14 people, aged 14 to 78, died on Colorado’s ski slopes during the 2023-24 ski season.
Six deaths resulted from collisions with trees. All of the deaths from collisions or falls happened on intermediate or beginner slopes. Ten of the fatalities were males, including a 14-year-old boy. Seven of the ski resort visitors who died were not from Colorado. Six of the deaths involved medical events, including a 43-year-old dentist from Kentucky who suffered a brain hemorrhage following an accident that broke his arm at Vail. Four of the deaths from medical events were skiers from out-of-state.
Ski areas do not release cumulative details or reports about deaths at resorts. Many resorts only reveal a fatality when asked, offering emailed statements that “extend our deepest sympathy.”
Resorts also do not discuss or detail injuries at ski areas, even though emergency rooms in resort communities treat thousands of injured skiers and snowboarders every season.
The Colorado Sun annually surveys 16 county coroners across the state to compile a list of skier deaths at ski resorts each season.
Read more from Jason Blevins at ColoradoSun.com.
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