BANFF – An elderly man visiting Banff from the United States is dead after losing control while skiing at Mount Norquay Ski Resort March 15.
Around 12:30 p.m., while skiing on a groomed run near the Spirit chair, an 83-year-old man collided with another person and then hit a tree, as witnessed by Norquay ski patrol and others nearby.
The man was treated on scene and transported off the mountain in life-threatening condition via rescue toboggan and ground ambulance to Banff Mineral Springs Hospital, where he was declared dead, according to EMS.
“They were already aware of the concern, so he was under the care of patrol almost immediately after the incident,” said Alberta Health Services EMS spokesperson Stuart Brideaux, noting an ambulance arrived about 10 minutes later. “There was essentially zero delay in getting him help, so it’s unfortunate it didn’t have a better outcome.”
Brideaux said that the circumstances around how the man lost control of his skis are not known at this time.
“It’s corroborated that yes, he had a collision with a person and then a tree on the hill, which of course is bad in itself,” he said. “What’s not known is did the skier lose control due to a medical event or did he just simply lose control because of whatever’s going on on the hill or with his skis.
“To draw an exact straight line between he’s deceased because he hit a tree is speculative, though he did have injuries from that. … The ultimate reason for why he’s deceased will come from a medical examiner.”
The other person involved in the collision did not require treatment from EMS on scene, according to Brideaux.
Next of kin have been notified, according to RCMP. The incident is not under investigation and the man’s name will not be released.
Andre Quenneville, general manager of the ski resort, wished to send his condolences to the man’s family.
“It’s an unfortunate incident and our thoughts are with the family at this time,” he said.
The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada. The position covers Îyârhe (Stoney) Nakoda First Nation and Kananaskis Country.
