Colorado ski deaths 2020. Breckenridge, Keystone and Vail .
Colorado ski deaths 2020 Jason Varnish, 46, died on Feb. Mar 2, 2025 · A 76-year-old man of both Houston and Aspen died in a skiing accident on Feb. One death occurred in the Anthracite Range near Crested Butte, and two other deaths were reported at an area called, “The Battleship” near Silverton, CO. , was Feb 24, 2025 · Saturday's avalanche death is the third in Colorado this winter and the second fatality in less than a week. Avalanche forecasters and search and rescue crews were worried that this year would be especially deadly because of the coronavirus pandemic and a weak snowpack. Apr 15, 2021 · On Christmas Eve 2020, Etthan Mañon, an eighteen-year-old from the Dominican Republic, died after a skiing accident at Echo Mountain. Mar 3, 2025 · In any given winter, it’s estimated that more skiers and boarders typically die at Colorado’s ski resorts than in backcountry avalanches, though resorts are not required to disclose deaths. Skiing and snowboarding are dangerous sports that are frequently accompanied by injury and occasional deaths. It was the first reported ski area death of the 2024-25 ski season. Siding with the ski industry, the Colorado Supreme Court ruled 5-2 on Tuesday that avalanches are among the "inherent dangers of skiing" covered by a law that limits lawsuits against the industry. Feb 14, 2024 · According to the National Ski Areas Association, 48 fatal skiing incidents occurred at North American ski resorts during the 2020-21 ski season. Of the three women and 10 men who died following an accident or medical event at Colorado ski areas in the 2024-25 season, eight were skiers and five were snowboarders, with ages ranging from 20 to 76. It took rescuers more than an hour to extricate Mañon from Jan 16, 2025 · Jessie Mello, a 24-year-old Marine from Grand Junction, died earlier this month following a ski accident at Powderhorn. 13, 2020, shortly after attempting to board a chairlift at Blue Sky Basin at Colorado's Vail Apr 15, 2020 · Skiers take some final laps during night skiing Saturday, March 14, 2020, at Steamboat Resort in Steamboat Springs. Regardless of your skill level, it’s crucial to proceed with caution while navigating Colorado’s snowy Jun 17, 2025 · Despite the high number of incidents in Colorado this year, deaths and injuries related to ski lifts are still quite rare, especially when compared to injuries in other active hobbies. May 30, 2023 · Colorado's ski resorts saw 17 skier deaths for the 2022-23 season, including four deaths from medical issues and five collisions with trees. May 31, 2023 · Colorado ski resorts do not report deaths or injuries. Mar 14, 2025 · From 1956 to 2024, there were just 35 fatal incidents — 16 of which were caused by mechanical issues. To report an accident contact your local avalanche center. Jan 15, 2025 · Explore key ski accident statistics in Colorado to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience on the slopes this season. May 8, 2025 · Hart Van Denburg/CPR News FILE, Skiers and snowboarders on a ski lift at Keystone Resort on Wednesday, Nov. Apr 11, 2020 · VAIL — A Colorado ski lift operator was not paying attention when a New Jersey man suffocated after his coat got caught on the lift and kept him from breathing, authorities said in a report. Apr 30, 2021 · At least 11 skiers were killed at Colorado ski areas during the 2020-2021 ski season, but ski resorts won't release that information. Jason Varnish, 46, died of positional asphyxia at Vail Mountain’s Blue Sky Basin area Feb. Ski areas across the country reported 57 fatal accidents in the 2021-22 ski season, up from 48 in the 2020-21 ski season. The article was published on the heels of a record-breaking winter during which 37 skiers, snowboarders, snowmobilers and snowbikers died in avalanches, making 2020/21 the deadliest season in modern history. Jan 20, 2020 · This is the 4th death of the 2019-2020 ski season, preceded by the death of a man at Keystone Resort, a death at Eldora Mountain, and the death of a 29-year-old backcountry skier. Feb 26, 2020 · New details reveal tragic circumstance of Colorado ski lift death By The Associated Press February 26, 2020 | updated 6 years ago Jan 20, 2025 · Last year, three people died in separate skiing incidents at Breckenridge Ski Resort, putting it at the top of the list of Colorado resorts with the most fatalities for the 2023-2024 ski season. May 8, 2025 · A 32-year-old snowboarder who fell from a chairlift at Keystone ski area in December has died of his injuries. Before Zinni’s fall, the last lift death happened in 2020 when a man at Colorado’s Vail Mar 20, 2023 · The nine deaths during the past winter brought the total killed by avalanches in Colorado to 28 since 2020, CAIC records show. May 21, 2024 · Colorado coroners reported at least 17 deaths at ski resorts in the 2022-23 ski season, an increase over previous seasons but below the record of 22 fatalities in the low-snow season of 2011-12. Mar 13, 2025 · The latest death during that time period was in 2020, when a man died at Colorado 's Vail resort after his clothing got entangled in part of the chairlift, making him unable to breathe. Fatalities also occurred in Vail, Winter Park, Keystone, Copper Mountain, Aspen Highlands, Purgatory, Loveland, and the Arapahoe Basin. Mar 29, 2023 · The family of a man who died in February 2020 after becoming entangled in a Vail ski area chairlift with a raised seat has settled its wrongful death lawsuit with Vail Resorts. com Feb 15, 2022 · In the 2020-21 ski season in Colorado, there were at least 11 skiers killed in traumatic crashes at the state’s 26 ski areas this season. The season is Colorado’s deadliest since the record-setting 2012-2013 snow year when 11 people died […] Dec 2, 2022 · The state hasn’t established a central repository for information about injuries and deaths at ski resorts, but in December 2020, an organization called Safe Slopes Colorado issued a report Mar 28, 2023 · The children of New Jersey father Jason Varnish, who an attorney says died in an “unnecessary and preventable tragedy" in Colorado three years ago, have settled with Vail Ski Resort. The snowboarder's death comes as the third avalanche-related fatality of the 2024-2025 winter season in Colorado and Mar 14, 2025 · Details emerge on two unreported deaths from crashes at ski resorts in Summit County, bringing season total to 3 fatalities The National Ski Areas Association says that skier and rider fatalities Jan 12, 2020 · Rodney Smith, second-generation owner and president of American Outdoor Products, passed away on Wednesday, January 1st, in Boulder, CO at the age of 57. Only ski resorts can share numbers that differentiate between injuries resulting from a fall or collision and emergency room trips involving skiers and snowboarders suffering from underlying health issues associated with exercise at altitude. Dec 21, 2020 · We’re sad to report that 3 skier deaths were reported in Colorado over the last few days. All could be Apr 16, 2024 · The Colorado Avalanche Information Center recently released statistics for the 2023-24 season so far, and the numbers reflect a remarkably lucky winter for backcountry users. As the 2023-2024 season comes to an end, a new report from KKCO shows 14 individuals died on Colorado's ski slopes this past winter, and a number of them as the result of a similar accident. 11 near the third tower. Jan 16, 2025 · Colorado coroners reported at least 17 deaths at ski resorts in the 2022-23 ski season, more than in previous seasons but fewer than the record of 22 fatalities in the low-snow season of 2011-12. . 13, 2020 while riding a Blue Sky Basin chairlift Avalanche Fatality Statistics: 2020-2021 The graphs below illustrate the seasons fatalities and fatal incidents according to different criteria. 11, 2020. Mello was skiing with 3 days ago · The Colorado Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case that could further define the extent to which liability waivers protect ski resorts from negligence claims brought by customers who are injured at the resort. Please use the data displayed here in conjunction with the following citation: Colorado Avalanche Information Center, US Avalanche Accident Reports, [url], [date accessed]. 14). Dec 16, 2020 · At least one Colorado lawmaker would like resorts to share injury statistics publicly. List of skiing deaths This is a list of skiing deaths of notable people, in chronological order, and includes skiers and snowboarders both professional and recreational whose deaths are due to accidents or avalanches. Jason Varnish was boarding Dec 22, 2020 · The deaths of three skiers in two avalanches since late last week have prompted state and local authorities in Colorado to warn people visiting mountainous backcountry areas to monitor forecasts Feb 24, 2025 · With 500 avalanches, 15 people caught in slides and 2 fatalities, February is shaping up to be a deadly month in Colorado’s backcountry The Colorado Avalanche Information Center said that Feb 16, 2020 · Local News Skier suffocates to death after getting caught in Colorado chairlift A New Jersey man was apparently strangled by his coat when he fell through a chairlift opening, officials in Vail said. 13, the Eagle County coroner […] Mar 28, 2023 · The children of a man who died while riding a chairlift in Colorado in February 2020 have settled their wrongful death lawsuit against the company that runs the ski resort. The 37 deaths across the country — each a tragedy that will resonate for lifetimes — delivered lessons to avalanche forecasters and researchers, especially in Colorado, where 12 men were killed, matching a painful This is a list of skiing deaths of notable people, in chronological order, and includes skiers and snowboarders both professional and recreational whose deaths are due to accidents or avalanches. There were at least nine skier and snowboarder deaths at Colorado ski areas in the 2021-22 ski season, down from at least 11 fatalities in the 2020-21 ski season. Apr 8, 2024 · The Colorado Sun spent two years assembling hard-to-get data about the number and severity of crashes at the state's most popular ski resorts. Exploring the systemic lack of transparency surrounding accidental ski deaths in Colorado Colorado's most popular ski resorts are carved out of our public lands. He momentarily hung from the armrest of the chairlift before falling an estimated 47 feet, according to a statement from the Jan 16, 2024 · I wrote this piece with Tyler Cohen in September, 2021 for The Avalanche Issue. Donovan Romero, of Littleton, died May 2, according to the Summit County coroner. Keystone said Schoolmarm and Silver Spoon trails would be open into the early […] Jan 3, 2024 · The death of the 69-year-old instructor marks the third on-mountain fatality for a Vail Resorts employee since 2021. Jun 11, 2023 · Colorado ski resorts do not report deaths or injuries. This table lists all fatal avalanche accidents in the United States. announced just hours earlier that they would close for a week starting March 15. According to other studies and research, there are an average of 20-40 ski-related deaths every year. Breckenridge, Keystone and Vail See full list on skimag. A dozen skiers and snowmobilers died in avalanches in Colorado during winter 2020-21, primarily in the backcountry, which sadly matched a state record set in 1993. Deaths of ski area employees are rare in Colorado. to 6 p. The announcement came about 30 minutes after Vail Resorts announced they would also be closing its ski areas. Read More: What Ski Resorts Have Oct 27, 2021 · A once-in-a-decade layer of rotten snow in the mountains combined with unprecedented traffic in the backcountry made the 2020-21 avalanche season the deadliest in many years. Oct 25, 2025 · Skiing and snowboarding season in Colorado is back. on Saturday. Jessie Mello, from Grand Junction, Colo. Shortly after Arapahoe Basin in Summit County announced it would open for winter 2025-26 on Sunday, Keystone Resort upped the ante by announcing it would be open 3 p. For more information on the database, […] Jun 2, 2023 · There were at least nine skier and snowboarder deaths at Colorado ski areas in the 2021-22 ski season, down from at least 11 fatalities in the 2020-21 ski season. (Matt Stensland, Special to The Colorado Feb 14, 2021 · At least 11 people have been killed in Colorado avalanches during the 2020-2021 snow season. Mar 27, 2023 · Lawsuit settled in death of man who asphyxiated while riding chairlift at Colorado ski resort Jason Varnish died on Feb. The resort's parent company Alterra Mountain Co. May 1, 2023 · 11th avalanche death in Colorado this season nears record The record for recreationist avalanche deaths in the state is 12, which took place during the 2020-21 season. Rodney was involved in a fatal ski accident at Dec 8, 2021 · Two deaths in such a short time span raise questions as to whether the unseasonably warm weather across Colorado could be making skiing more dangerous than usual. 1 day ago · BERN, Switzerland (AP) — Ski star Lara Gut-Behrami has damaged her left knee during training in the United States, the Swiss team said Friday, in what could potentially be a career-ending injury. The Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC) maintains the database of record on avalanche deaths in the United States. This year’s statewide count comes from requests made by The Colorado Sun to coroners in 16 Colorado counties with ski areas. 10 RECENT SKI-RELATED DEATHS ALTA SKI AREA: A teenage boy died after a skier collision in the Sugarloaf area at Alta Ski Area in Utah. The total number of deaths was the most of any state this season, a distinction held by Colorado for the past 70 years. I’m a lifelong skier who gets out in the snow as much as possible. Jason Varnish was boarding the Blue Sky chairlift on Feb. May 28, 2024 · The state of Colorado's record for the deadliest ski season dates back to the 2011-2012 season when 22 individuals died on the ski slopes throughout the Centennial State. Feb 8, 2024 · The Colorado Ski Safety Act mitigates ski areas’ liability in the event of an accident, but this court case will test its limits. We have archived 29 incidents with 37 fatalities for the 2019-20 season. Jun 1, 2016 · Colorado's top court says ski resorts can't be held liable for avalanches within their boundaries. Jan 9, 2023 · Avalanche deaths in Colorado The deadliest year avalanches over the last 10 years was during the winter of 2020-2021 when 12 people died. The total number of deaths was the most of… Mar 24, 2023 · Andy Colwell, special to the Colorado Sun The family of a man who died in February 2020 after becoming entangled in a Vail ski area chairlift with a raised seat has settled its wrongful death lawsuit with Vail Resorts. The accident took place Monday (Feb. The snowpack was weak and the backcountry ski industry was riding high off the post-pandemic boom, making Feb 25, 2020 · The New Jersey skier who suffocated to death after his coat became caught on a ski lift at Vail Mountain earlier this month may not have fallen through an opening in a chairlift seat as originally … Apr 14, 2021 · By Kevin Fixler A dozen skiers and snowmobilers died in avalanches in Colorado during winter 2020-21, primarily in the backcountry, which sadly matched a state record set in 1993. Romero fell from the Ruby Express chairlift Dec. Jan 22, 2025 · A 24-year-old Marine Sergeant has died after she was injured in a skiing accident at a popular resort while home visiting her family for the holidays. m. Jun 2, 2023 · There were at least nine skier and snowboarder deaths at Colorado ski areas in the 2021-22 ski season, down from at least 11 fatalities in the 2020-21 ski season. May 2, 2025 · The Colorado Sun surveys 16 county coroners for deaths recorded at the state’s 27 operating ski areas. The first set shows the season in comparison to the previous 10 years, the second set categorizes the seasons recreational fatalities by different parameters. 2022-2023 (so far): 4 deaths 2021-2022: 7 deaths Feb 24, 2025 · A snowboarder was killed in Colorado on Saturday after an avalanche buried him. Skier killed in avalanche near Crested Butte By Saja Hindi December 19, 2020 at 3:18 p. 26 in Aspen and is being remembered for his quiet demeanor and adventurous spirit. 13, 2020, when the chair came around with its seat not lowered. Click the date to get more information about each individual accident. eljfe jbow xvigf eqyqdn gubbc iicihtx jrsqbfc dphch jixwat ilo lnq pmtqiss mnha tzdyn qaeep