A visiting skier died Wednesday after crashing in the Lake Chutes, a double-black-diamond hike-to zone on Peak 8 at Breckenridge Ski Resort, turning an expert-only playground into the scene of a frantic rescue effort.
Sheriff's officials said ski patrollers reached the man in the steep terrain, performed CPR at the scene, then brought him down to the Peak 8 first aid room, where he was pronounced dead.
According to The Denver Post, a witness told deputies that ski patrollers were administering CPR at about 1:30 p.m. Authorities say the skier, who was from out of state, was alone when he fell, was wearing a helmet, and has not yet been publicly identified. The Summit County Coroner's Office will determine the cause and manner of death while the sheriff's office continues its investigation.
Lake Chutes Are Among Breck's Gnarliest Inbounds Lines
The Lake Chutes sit high above the main runs on Peak 8 and are known among locals as some of Breck's steepest inbounds shots. The area is accessed by a short boot pack from the Imperial Express and is rated strictly for expert skiers. Depending on conditions, skiers may have to hike back out to reach the lift.
The resort describes the Lake Chutes as high-alpine, technical terrain where conditions can shift quickly and where ski patrol controls access as needed, according to Breckenridge Ski Resort.
Summit County Mourns as Investigators Seek Answers
Summit County Sheriff Jaime FitzSimons acknowledged how deeply such incidents hit a tight-knit mountain community, saying, "Our mountain community feels these losses deeply. We extend our sincere condolences to the skier’s family and loved ones during this difficult time," as reported by The Denver Post.
Local coverage notes that this is the latest winter fatality in Summit County, following other recent incidents at Keystone and Copper Mountain that have drawn scrutiny from investigators, according to Summit Daily.
The Summit County Sheriff’s Office says it will release more information once the coroner's findings are complete. Anyone with information related to the incident is asked to contact investigators through the Summit County Sheriff’s Office.
