A veteran Aspen Skiing Company instructor was killed in an on-mountain accident at Snowmass Ski Area on Thursday, Jan. 22, a loss that has left the Roaring Fork Valley’s tight-knit ski community reeling. Snowmass Ski Patrol responded to the crash on a run in the Two Creeks area and brought the instructor to the base clinic, where he was later pronounced dead. Colleagues, students and race crews who worked with him described the news as a gut punch.
The instructor was identified as 48-year-old Rohan Verplank, according to Aspen Public Radio, which noted that its reporting was based on coverage by the Aspen Daily News. That report states the crash happened on an intermediate run in the Two Creeks area and that Snowmass Ski Patrol, Snowmass Village police and Aspen Valley Health all responded. The Pitkin County Coroner’s Office is investigating the cause and manner of death, according to that coverage.
In a statement to CBS Colorado, Aspen One confirmed the Jan. 22 accident and offered condolences to those closest to Verplank. "Our deepest condolences are with the individual's family and friends, as well as with all of our employees who knew and worked with him," the company said. Aspen One also thanked ski patrol and medical staff for their response and asked the community to respect the family’s privacy while officials complete their review.
Community Remembers Coach
Verplank was a longtime instructor and coach who worked with local youth programs and served on race course crews for World Cup events, colleagues told reporters. Pat Callahan and others credited him with getting kids genuinely excited about ski racing and with bringing a steady, calm professionalism to high-pressure events, according to Aspen Public Radio. Friends and family said he split his time between the Roaring Fork Valley and Florida and is survived by two children and a partner.
Investigation Under Way
Pitkin County officials said the coroner’s office will release formal identification details and an official cause of death only after next-of-kin notifications and any required testing are complete, as reported by CBS Colorado. Aspen One and local authorities have not announced any operational changes at Snowmass in connection with the accident. Officials have again urged the public to give Verplank’s family and close friends space while the investigation proceeds.
Tributes from local ski clubs and race organizers began appearing in the days after the crash, with community members saying they plan to honor Verplank’s contributions at upcoming events. The Pitkin County Coroner’s Office has not provided a timeline for autopsy or toxicology results. This story will be updated as officials release additional information.
