Today there were two separate incidents resulting in skier and snowboarder fatalities at Aspen Highlands and Snowmass. Around 1PM the ski patrol was alerted that a skier came across an unconscious snowboarder who had collided with trees on Deep Temerity at Aspen Highlands. The snowboarder collided with one tree and apparently hit a second tree which drove a branch through the left side of his chat according to the Pitkin County Sheriffs office. CPR was performed without success.
The second fatality came a half hour later when a report to the Pitkin County Sheriffs office reported that a 45-year-old man was caught in an avalanche on Burnt Mountain outside the ski area boundary of the Snowmass Ski Area. Bystanders were able to dig the victim out of the snow and perform CPR with the man being pronounced dead around 3PM.
Backcountry skiing has become a more popular sport over the years which is resulting in greater numbers of new and inexperienced riders. While experience can not be blamed on these deaths, the sport does come with its risks. Possibly the weather today played a role in the snowboarders death due to blowing snow visibility would have been poor. Names have not been announced as of yet. Our thoughts go to the families of these men.
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