A day on the slopes at Keystone Resort ended in tragedy Monday when a snowboarder died after crashing on the Lower Go Devil run, according to the Summit County Sheriff’s Office. Friends on the hill and ski patrol tried to revive the rider before he was taken to the on-mountain medical center, where he was pronounced dead. Summit County deputies have opened an investigation into the incident.
According to the Summit County Sheriff’s Office and reporting by the Denver Gazette, deputies received a report about the crash at about 2:11 p.m. and found CPR underway on the Lower Go Devil black-diamond run near the Mountain House base area. Keystone Ski Patrol transported the snowboarder to Keystone Medical Center, where he was pronounced deceased.
Deputies Probe Cause Of Deadly Crash
The Summit County Sheriff’s Office said initial findings indicate the rider, a visitor from Colorado’s Front Range, was riding with friends when he “hit the snow with force,” and investigators do not believe trees, blunt objects, or other people were involved, per KKTV. Summit County Sheriff Jaime FitzSimons offered condolences, saying, "Every loss of life on our ski slopes is deeply felt in our community."
Second Fatal Incident At Keystone This Month
This is the second fatal slopesport incident at Keystone this month; an earlier case on Jan. 7 involved a 59-year-old skier who was found unresponsive on The Grizz and later died, according to reporting by the Denver Gazette. The Summit County coroner will release the snowboarder’s identity and the official cause and manner of death at a later time, the sheriff's office said.
Icy Early-Season Conditions And Safety
Thin snowpack and icy runs have been flagged as a risk this season, with publications noting that early openings and crowded groomed trails can increase hazards. Ski Magazine has urged riders to check their speed, choose appropriate terrain, and be extra cautious while resorts work to open more runs safely.
