Industry News
Brains
Colorado’s snow-starved 2025-26 season produced fewer skier visits, limited avalanche activity, and reduced traffic in the backcountry. Despite this, the number of trauma-related deaths at resorts across the state remained stubbornly high.
Of the 13 total deaths that occurred in-bounds at Colorado ski resorts, 9 of them were trauma-related, according to a Colorado Sun report by Jason Blevins. All 9 trauma-related deaths came from collisions with trees or falls; none came from collisions with other skiers. All were wearing helmets at the time of each accident.
Cardiac events made up the remaining four fatalities. While cardiac events remain one of the leading causes of deaths at ski resorts overall, the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) does not count them in slope fatality statistics. Recent research has also shown that cardiac arrests are comparatively rare at ski resorts in comparison to the general population.
Over the past three seasons, ski resort deaths have declined. For comparison, 17 ski resort deaths were reported in 2022-23, followed by 15 in 2023-24. 2024-25 matched 2025-26 with 13. Colorado’s high was reported at 22 in the 2011-2012 season.
While the 2025-26 number is the same as last year, it will ultimately result in a higher fatality rate for Colorado as skier visits are dramatically down for the Rockies. Vail Resorts’ CEO Robert Katz stated that Vail Resorts saw a decline of 25% in skier visits for its resorts in the Rockies. In addition, Colorado typically has multiple avalanche deaths while this year only one of the deaths was caused by an avalanche. In the 10 years leading up to last season, Colorado had on average five avalanche deaths per year. This implies that the number of trauma-related deaths this season is higher than one would have anticipated. Of the 58 deaths that have occurred over the past four seasons, 34 have been from trauma forces, making it the leading cause of death at Colorado ski resorts.
The persistent occurrence of trauma-related deaths shows that lower visitation does not automatically mean safer skiing. And while many fear skier-on-skier collisions, it is typically collisions with immovable objects that cause these deaths. The fact that 2025-26 still saw steady trauma deaths despite a sharp decline in skier visits, raises the question: can poor snow years make skiing more hazardous?
Seasons with poor snow coverage can create firmer conditions as resorts rely on artificial snowmaking for coverage. Artificial snow is formed by spraying water droplets into the air that fall as tiny ice pellets. This “snow” is much denser, icier, and more durable than natural snow. Impacts on artificial snow are much less forgiving, as the surface is harder and more dangerous. Icy surfaces do little to cushion falls, making crashes more severe and increasing the risk of trauma-related injuries.
Artificial snow also makes for a more slippery surface. It is much harder to hold an edge and make confident turns when the snow conditions are icy and hard, increasing the likelihood of crashing and getting injured.
Furthermore, poor snow seasons bring thinner coverage and more exposed hazards. Objects like rocks, hidden stumps, and patches of dirt become more common as conditions thin out. Colliding with any of these objects can cause skiers to experience horrible crashes that result in serious injuries.
This combination of hard conditions from artificial snow and more exposed objects can make seasons with poor snow more dangerous for skiers visiting resorts. While overall visitation may be lower and crowds may be smaller, poor conditions could mean more crashes and more trauma-related deaths for skiers.
Predictions for the 2026-27 winter are already looking unfavorable as climate experts believe a “super El Niño” could be on its way, bringing a warm and dry season. This could force resorts to rely even more heavily on artificial snow and could leave resorts more exposed.
The 2025-26 season continued the trend of persistent trauma deaths as it limped through its season. As the 2026-27 season slowly creeps closer, Colorado resorts will watch climate predictions with great interest as they prepare for what comes next.
