Safety is important, people. This year’s skiing season is going out on a sombre note as a new record was set for the most skiing or snowboarding deaths on Colorado ski slopes in a single season.

From the Denver Post:

The unidentified man was pronounced dead at the Vail Valley Medical Center after a skiing incident on the intermediate run In The Wuides in Blue Sky Basin on Vail Mountain.

A call came at approximately 10:50 a.m., and Vail Ski Patrol responded immediately.

The ski patrol provided advanced life support and transported the patient to an ambulance at the bottom of the mountain.

The skier was wearing a helmet at the time of the incident. Officials didn’t provide more details of the incident.

The previous record for deaths was 16, set in the 2001-2002 season.

That record was tied last weekend when a Kansas man became the 16th skier or snowboarder to die in a crash on the slopes.

The death of skier Michael Howe, 43, of Andover, Kan., on March 30 pushed the state to tie the dubious record. It was the fourth death at Keystone this season.

Industry officials say skiing remains statistically safer than many other outdoor activities, including bike riding and swimming, and every resort runs into safety programs.

“Not to sound cliché, but safety is the No. 1 priority at our resorts,” said Nick Bohnenkamp, spokesman for the trade group Colorado Ski Country USA.

Remember to ski or snowboard safely and responsibly.

17th ski-resort death sets record [Denver Post via BuzzFeed]
Ski Safely [National Safety Council]
(Photo:randomduck)

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