SAM Magazine–Keystone, Colo., Jan. 5, 2024–A collision between a skier and a ski-bike rider at a Colorado ski area has put a spotlight on safety issues around the use of snow toys and highlights a state law making it a crime to leave the scene of a serious ski crash.

The Jan. 2 incident, involving a 72-year-old male skier, his daughter, and an unidentified male ski biker, took place on an intermediate trail at Keystone Resort’s North Peak area. According to a report in the Denver Post, the crash occurred at the bottom of the Bergman Bowl near the intersection of Blackjack and Prospector ski trails. The ski biker allegedly overtook the father and daughter as they were exiting Blackjack, colliding first with the daughter, then the father.

"This catastrophic collision, resulting in devastating injuries, evolved into a criminal event once the unidentified person fled the scene without identifying himself or seeking aid,” according to a statement from Summit County (Colo.) Sheriff Jaime FitzSimons.

Keystone reported that the injured male skier was transported to St. Anthony Hospital in Lakewood, Colo., after ski patrol responded to the incident. The male victim remains in critical condition, while the woman involved in the incident was treated for her injuries and released from the hospital, according to media reports.

“Keystone Ski Patrol requested witness statements and a description of the other party involved, and alerted resort staff and the Summit County Sheriff’s Office to assist in finding the ski biker involved in this collision,” according to a statement released by Keystone communications manager Max Winter.

The suspect is still at large.

Under Colorado law, skiers involved in accidents resulting in injury are prohibited from leaving the vicinity of the collision before giving his or her name and current address to an employee of the ski area operator or a member of the ski patrol, except for the purpose of securing aid for a person injured in the collision, “in which event the person so leaving the scene of the collision shall give his or her name and current address after securing such aid,” according to FitzSimmons, adding, “Neither of which occurred in this instance.”

Keystone does not rent ski bikes, but does allow their use on its trails, according to Winter. Ski bikers are required to observe the same safety rules and code of responsibility as skiers and snowboarders, he said.

“While it is still uncertain what type of ski bike was involved or the specific details of this incident, we are saddened to hear the news about this event, and send our thoughts for a speedy recovery to the injured parties,” said Hugh Reynolds, chief marketing officer at SNOW Partners, which owns ski bike manufacturer Sno-Go. “This should stand as a reminder for all on the importance of understanding and following the Responsibility Code while on the mountain.”

Ski bikes have been growing in popularity, and with that, a growing list of resorts are allowing the devices on slopes and chairlifts. The bikes are typically gravity-powered rather than motorized. Some are designed with two skis in lieu of wheels, while others like Sno-Go have three separate articulating skis. 

Report by Bob Curley.