TL;DR
The 2024-25 ski season in Colorado saw 13 fatalities across its 27 ski areas, a slight reduction from previous years. This article examines the statistics and safety measures in place.
Colorado Records 13 Ski-Related Deaths in 2024-25 Season
The 2024-25 ski season in Colorado saw 13 fatalities across its 27 ski areas, marking a slight decrease from previous years. This figure includes eight skiers and five snowboarders, with incidents occurring primarily on intermediate and beginner runs. The victims ranged from 20 to 76 years old, with a majority being male. Causes of death varied, including trauma from falls, heart attacks, and snow suffocation.
Despite the reduction in fatalities, Colorado's death rate remains higher than the national average, at approximately one per million visits. This is nearly double the U.S. rate of 0.58 deaths per million skier visits, which reached a 10-year low in the 2023-24 season. Nationally, there were 35 deaths at U.S. ski areas that season, below the 10-year average of 42.
It's worth noting that Colorado ski areas are not required to publicly report fatalities, often providing minimal information beyond brief statements. The ski industry also doesn't classify medical events occurring on slopes, such as heart attacks, as ski area fatalities.
