Former Vail Patroller Speaks Out Over Avalanche Wrongful Death Verdict | All Gates to Prima Cornice Should have been Closed Former Vail ski instructor, Vail snowcat driver and Vail ski patroller Michael Beckley wrote this letter to Vail Daily in response to the verdict of Ingalls v. Vail. Vail Resorts was sued for negligence for the death of then 13 year old skier Taft Conlin. On January 22, 2012, Taft Conlin and four other skiers entered the lower gate of Prima Cornice at Vail […] Industry News Steven Agar | July 6, 2018 0 Comments
VERDICT: Jury Rule in Favor of Vail Resorts in Inbounds Avalanche Wrongful Death Trial A six-person jury ruled Wednesday, June 20, that Vail Resorts had closed the upper Prima Cornice run on Vail Mountain’s front side before an in-bounds avalanche killed 13-year-old Taft Conlin on Jan. 22, 2012, reports Vail Daily from court. Taft’s parents, Dr. Louise Ingalls and Dr. Stephen Conlin, had sued the ski company for negligence, saying the company did not close […] Industry News SnowBrains | June 21, 2018 2 Comments
Update: Vail Mountain Inbounds Avalanche Case The court case regarding the inbounds avalanche at Vail Mountain that claimed the life of 13-year-old Taft Conlin is entering the final days. The hotly debated case is centered around liability and who’s actions are to blame. Taft and friends entered a lower gate and hiked up on a run known as “Prima Cornice” and trigged an avalanche. Vail Resorts is […] Avalanche Greg Obernesser | June 21, 2018 0 Comments
GoPro Footage of Fatal Avalanche Shown to Jury in Wrongful Death Trial Against Vail Resorts GoPro video from Conlin and another of the boys with whom he was skiing wrapped up the first week of testimony in the wrongful death lawsuit his parents filed against Vail Resorts, reports Vail Daily. An in-bounds avalanche on Prima Cornice killed their son Jan. 22, 2012. The first video, shown in court but not released to the public, was a […] Avalanche SnowBrains | June 18, 2018 0 Comments
UPDATE: Lawsuit Against Vail Begins | Patrollers Never Knew that People Hiked Up Day two of the Taft Conlin case has commenced with skiers and Vail Ski Patrol to take the stand. According to the Vail Daily, the topic of ‘skiers’ right’ will be up for discussion, which is skiers entering the ‘Prima Cornice” lower gate and hiking up to the right to get to better terrain. Taft Conlin passed away January 22nd 2012 […] Industry News Greg Obernesser | June 15, 2018 0 Comments
Lawsuit Against Vail Resorts For Negligence Begins 6 Years After An Avalanche Claimed The Life Of A 13 Year Old Boy Vail Resorts is being sued for negligence in the death of then 13 year old skier Taft Conlin. On January 22, 2012, Taft Conlin and four other skiers entered the lower gate of Prima Cornice at Vail Resort. The upper gate to the run had been roped off due to avalanche danger. According to the official Colorado Avalanche Information Center […] Avalanche Greg Obernesser | April 30, 2018 0 Comments
Avalanche Advisory For New Zealand | Backcountry Travel Is Not Advised Heavy snowfall in New Zealand has been a blessing at local ski fields, but it has left the backcountry prone to avalanches. The New Zealand Avalanche Center has expressed that backcountry travel in the area is not advised. The snow isn’t done yet either, the 7 day forecast shows that snow is expected to fall 4 of the next 7 days. […] Avalanche Chris Wallner | September 11, 2017 0 Comments
7 Killed When Tree Derails Gondola Cable in Gulmarg, India on Saturday At least 7 people have been killed at the Gulmarg ski resort in Indian controlled Kashmir after the cable supporting the gondola cars derailed on Saturday, according to officials. The 7 deaths occurred due to their windows breaking and being thrown out of their gondola. “suddenly a gush of strong wind uprooted a pine tree that hit another large pine […] Industry News SnowBrains | June 26, 2017 0 Comments