Children of Man Who Died on Vail, CO Chairlift to Pursue Lawsuit Against Vail Resorts

The children of a man who died on a Vail Mountain, CO chairlift last month are to pursue litigation against Vail Resorts.

• Related: Coroner Rules Man Who Died of Positional Asphyxia at Vail Resort, CO DID NOT Fall Through Chair

Jason Varnish, 46 of New Jersey died of positional asphyxia when his clothing got caught and entangled on the chairlift on 13th February 2020. He was unable to breathe due to his coat and tight clothing around his chest and abdominal region. The death was ruled accidental.

At least one witness reported seeing that the chairlift seat was up when Varnish and one other attempted to load Chair 37 in Vail’s Blue Sky Basin, according to a press release. Attorney Peter Burg, with Burg Simpson, has been hired to pursue litigation against Vail Resorts and is looking for witnesses, videos, or pictures.

Anyone with information is being asked to contact the firm’s office at 303-792-5595.