It is fair to say that skiing is one of the most dangerous sports out there. This is especially true when it comes to ski resort accidents. Sadly, there are several cases where people have lost their lives due to accidents caused by the resort itself or by faulty equipment. Below, we will tell you about five such accidents that happened due to negligence on the part of the ski resort operator.
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The Leaning Tower Of Pisa
On Saturday, February 17, 2009, a 43-year-old woman from Brazil took a fall on the Luge run at the Italian ski resort of Pisa. According to the police investigation, the woman had taken a wrong turn, which led to the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Before she even hit the ground, the woman fell off the ski lift and was later declared dead at the scene. Sadly, this is not an isolated case. In the last four years, the Leaning Tower of Pisa is one of the deadliest accident sites among European ski resorts. Thanks to its steepness and small size, the Italian ski resort of Pisa is commonly known as the “Ski ghetto” of Europe. Due to the high number of accidents there, the municipality has erected a sign warning people about the pitfalls of taking a wrong turn while on the mountain.
The Luge Run
The Luge run at Heavenly Mountain Resort is one of the most dangerous attractions at the resort. This is mainly due to the fact that the run is quite long and it curves several times. If you ask any ski expert, they will tell you that it is best to take the T-Bar between the 3rd and 4th houses, near the Swiss Village area. However, if you follow the signs and stay in the designated area, you will find that the majority of accidents happen there, as well.
Although it curves several times, the Luge run at Heavenly is still considered dangerous due to the fact that it is quite long. This is why expert skiers suggest taking the T-Bar between the 3rd and 4th houses, because this will make the run shorter. Unfortunately, this is often not possible, especially on weekdays, as the demand for the T-Bar is very high and it is often fully booked. In addition, the Swiss police have warned that the Luge run at Heavenly is one of the most dangerous ski runs in the world, mainly due to the fact that it is near the border with Italy. This is also the reason why the run is closed on Mondays.
The Murder On The Green Mountain
On Saturday, August 2, 2014, a 28-year-old woman from Austria was found dead at the foot of the Nordkette ski lift at the Green Mountain ski resort in Colorado. According to the police, the woman had apparently fallen off the lift while trying to take a selfie. Unfortunately, no one knows for sure why she had decided to take a selfie at that exact moment, as no one was with her at the time, or if she even had a camera with her. It is known, however, that selfies are extremely dangerous at ski resorts. This is mainly due to the fact that they require the user to be in the same spot and to focus on the camera the entire time. As a result, the person taking the selfie may lose sight of the surrounding terrain, leading to severe injuries or even death. When the police arrived at the scene, they found the woman’s body lying next to the lift, which was still attached to the gondola. It is believed that she had been dead for several days, as her body was stiff and had an unpleasant odor.
The Death On The Silver Mountain
Less than a month later, on August 31, 2014, another woman from Austria lost her life at a European ski resort. This time, it was at Ski Amador, in Portugal. On that particular Saturday evening, a 46-year-old woman and a 45-year-old man went for a walk alongside the Lada stream. While the man attempted to cross the river, the woman got stuck in the rapidly flowing water and was eventually carried away by the current. Despite the best efforts of the local lifeguards, as well as those on duty at the nearby summer resort, the woman could not be saved. According to the police, it was an accident and nothing more. The body was later found by a search team, along with the man’s wallet and ID card. It appears that the couple had arrived at the resort around noon and had decided to spend the afternoon at the stream. The incident happened near the 2,600-metre high Mount Bizka, which is one of Europe’s highest peaks. In addition, the Portuguese news outlet, JN, reports that the last week of August 2014 was the deadliest in recent memory for European ski resorts, with 14 accidents reported. This was mainly due to heavy rains that made the ski runs quite slippery and increased the risk of falling off.
The Tragic Fall On The Grand Summit
Last but not least, let us not forget about the tragic accident that befell Andreja Pejlis, a 23-year-old student from Serbia, on December 28, 2014. Andreja had been to the nearby Coronet Peak ski resort and had spent the afternoon hiking and taking pictures. According to her family, the young woman had posted on her blog about her plans to go ice skating that evening. Unfortunately, around 6 p.m., Andreja was found unconscious by a ski patrol staff member, who called an ambulance. Despite the best efforts of the paramedics, as well as those of the doctors waiting at the hospital, the young woman could not be revived and later died from her injuries. According to the authorities, the cause of the accident was not clear and an investigation is underway.
Although accidents happen every year, it seems that the deadliest European ski resorts are increasingly dangerous places to be, due to the fact that the trails are getting longer and the amount of snow fall is increasing. In the last four years, the European Ski Safety Council (ESSC) has recorded an increase of 24 percent in ski injuries, which are mainly caused by falls. In other words, it appears that the European skiing scene is gradually turning into a deathtrap.
In light of this, it is important to keep in mind that skiing is a dangerous sport. This is especially true at the top European resorts, where the accidents tend to be far more serious. In order to ensure your safety while on the mountain, it is advisable to follow the rules and procedures given to you by the ski resort and to be familiar with the signs that mark dangerous spots, as well as trails that are closed due to bad weather conditions.