71-Year-Old Ski Instructor Succumbs to Injuries After Ski Collison at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, WY

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort (JHMR), Wyoming, reported to the Buckrail that a collision occurred the morning of April 14 between two skiers that resulted in both men being transported to the hospital. According to Buckrail, Peter Wuerslin, the 71-year-old part-time JHMR ski instructor, was skiing with a group of peers when a 34-year-old skier collided with Wuerslin from uphill. JHMR told Buckrail that Wuerslin was wearing a helmet and the 34-year-old did not appear to have been wearing a helmet.

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JHMR told Buckrail that both men were transported to the St. John’s Urgent Care Clinic in Teton Village, Wyoming, via ambulance. Later that day, Wuerslin was flown to the Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center in Idaho Falls, Idaho. At arrival, Wuerslin was placed on life support. The Billings Gazette reported that Wuerslin’s family indicated that he had suffered “severe brain damage that is irreversible.” The 34-year-old skier was released from the hospital later that day.

Jackson Hole News & Guide reported that Wuerslin never regained consciousness after the collision. On Wednesday, April 17, it was reported that Wuerslin had sadly passed away at the Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center.

Peter Wuerslin joined the JHMR staff in 1978 and had been employed seasonally by the resort for the past 38 years. JHMR’s Risk and Safety Director Jon Bishop stated in an interview with the Buckrail: “This is obviously very sad for the organization and the community and our heart goes out to the family.”

“All of us at JHMR are devastated to have lost a beloved member of our community and a long-tenured instructor in our Mountain Sports School,” Buckley also said. “Our thoughts are with the family, friends, our employees and community members who are grieving this loss.”
— Mary Kate Buckley, JHMR President

This is a difficult reminder that serious accidents do happen on the slopes and that it is the responsibility of the uphill skier to avoid those below. Accidents like this are avoidable by just skiing and riding in control at all times. If anyone witnessed the collision, contact Detective Bret Bommer at 307-733-4052.