Snowboarder found dead after slamming into tree at Colorado ski area, cops say

A snowboarder died after slamming into a tree at a Colorado ski area, police said.

The 42-year-old snowboarder was found unconscious at the Aspen Highlands Ski Area on Wednesday, Jan. 19, the Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office said.

The snowboarder was with a friend when he collided with a tree, deputies said. No one saw him hit the tree.

“The male was found unconscious,” the sheriff’s office said in a news release. “Ski Patrollers were alerted and immediately began CPR on the unresponsive male.”

The man was pronounced dead at the scene. The sheriff’s office said it provided support to the snowboarder’s friend.

Deputies did not identify the snowboarder. The sheriff’s office and county coroner are investigating the incident.

At least two other deaths have been reported at Colorado ski resorts this winter, McClatchy News reported.

In December, a 60-year-old skier died after crashing into a tree at Eldora Ski Resort, a ski mountain about 20 miles from Boulder.

His death was the second in one week at that ski area. A 72-year-old skier died Nov. 30 after colliding with a snowboarder. He was wearing a helmet at the time, McClatchy News reported.

This story was originally published January 20, 2022 at 9:13 AM with the headline "Snowboarder found dead after slamming into tree at Colorado ski area, cops say."