BEAVER CREEK, Colorado – A 59-year-old man died Dec. 21 as a result of a ski accident on Beaver Creek Mountain, Eagle County Coroner Kara Bettis said.

James Wilson, 59, of Colorado Springs, died of blunt force trauma, she said. The accident happened in a gladed area adjacent to Goshawk, an expert trail at Beaver Creek Resort, a statement from the resort said.

Because no one witnessed the accident, Bettis said she can’t determine whether Wilson hit a tree.

“He could have just fallen,” she said.

A fellow skier found Wilson shortly after the accident and spoke with him briefly before Wilson became unconscious, Bettis said.

Support Local Journalism

Donate

Beaver Creek Ski Patrol received a call about the incident around 2:25 p.m. and responded immediately, the statement from the resort said. Ski Patrol provided basic life support and transported the patient to an ambulance, the statement said. Wilson died at the Vail Valley Medical Center, Bettis said.

The man had been wearing a helmet at the time of the accident, Beaver Creek officials said. The incident remains under investigation, the statement said.

“Beaver Creek Resort, Beaver Creek Ski Patrol and the Vail Resorts family extend their deepest sympathy and support to the family and friends of the man,” the statement said.

Staff Writer Sarah Mausolf can be reached at 970-748-2928 or smausolf@vaildaily.com.