According to the Chaffee County Sherriff’s Office, 23-year-old Collin Zak of Ohio died at Monarch Mountain, CO on Saturday after hitting a tree. He was snowboarding on Mirage trail, a black diamond run, when he hit a tree. At about 11:50am, ski patrol received a report that there was an unresponsive individual on a run off of the Panorama Lift.

After the incident was reported, Chaffee County EMS and Sheriff’s Deputies rushed to the scene. Upon arrival, ski patrol was performing CPR on Collin, but their efforts were unsuccessful. At the time of the accident, he was wearing a helmet. Sadly, this marks the first death at a Colorado ski resort during the 2017/18 ski season.

Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office Press Release:

December 2, 2017: On this date at 11:50 am the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office Communications Center received a call from Monarch Ski Patrol of an unresponsive male that possibly collided with a tree. Chaffee County EMS and the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office responded to the Monarch Ski Area. Responders contacted Monarch Ski Patrol members who were performing CPR on the male victim, however after continuing this for some time the male was pronounced dead at the scene. The Chaffee County Coroner responded and took possession of the victim.

The Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office investigated the accident and located witnesses who stated that the victim was snowboarding and collided with a tree. The victim was wearing a helmet at the time of the accident. The victim’s identity is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.