Tragic Chairlift Incident at Keystone Sparks Safety Concerns

Snowboarder's Death Following Keystone Chairlift Fall Raises Safety Questions

A tragic incident following a fall from a lift at Keystone Resort in Colorado has brought ski lift safety into the spotlight. Donovan Romero, a 32-year-old snowboarder from Littleton, Colorado, died on May 2, 2025, from injuries sustained in a fall from the Ruby Express chairlift at Keystone Resort in December 2024. The incident has sparked discussions about chairlift safety measures and regulations across US ski resorts.

Romero fell approximately 15 metres onto the closed Diamondback trail. Witnesses reported that he briefly hung from the armrest before falling. Importantly, the safety bar was not lowered at the time of the incident. Romero was wearing a helmet and was immediately airlifted to hospital, where he received treatment for several months before his passing.

The Ruby Express lift at Keystone Resort where the passenger fell from. Credit: SkiResort.Info

The Colorado Passenger Tramway Safety Board investigated the incident and concluded that a lift malfunction did not cause the fall. They closed their investigation, stating no further inquiry was necessary. However, Romero's family has since advocated for stricter safety bar requirements, questioning why resorts do not enforce their use.

Chairlift fatalities are relatively rare, with only 35 reported at US ski areas since 1956. Most of these incidents did not involve mechanical failures. While the National Ski Areas Association recommends always lowering the safety bar, Colorado does not mandate its use, unlike some other states such as Vermont.

The current trail map at Keystone Resort. Credit: Keystone

This incident has highlighted the inconsistent regulations regarding safety bar use across US ski resorts. In many states, there is no requirement for riders to use the safety bar, even for children. This contrasts sharply with many European countries, where lowering the safety bar is mandatory and enforced.

The lack of universal safety bar regulations in the US ski industry has been questioned, especially when compared to other industries that transport people at height, such as aviation or amusement parks. Critics argue that making such a critical safety measure optional puts passengers at unnecessary risk, particularly beginners, children, or those with limited mobility.

Keystone Resort, located in Summit County, Colorado, is known for its varied terrain and night skiing opportunities. The resort has not yet commented on whether this incident will lead to changes in their safety protocols or enforcement of safety bar use on their lifts.