A 48-year-old Aspen Skiing Company employee and beloved ski patroller died Thursday after hitting a tree while skiing on Lower Creekside at Snowmass. Rohan Williamson of Crested Butte was pronounced dead at the scene. The accident marks Colorado’s fourth ski-area fatality in just three weeks.
The crash has stunned the tight-knit ski community and raised fresh questions about safety as the state sees one of its deadliest early seasons in years.
What Happened on Lower Creekside
Williamson was skiing alone during his patrol shift around 11:30 a.m. when the accident occurred, according to Aspen Skiing Company and the Pitkin County Coroner’s Office.
Witnesses and first responders found him unresponsive near trees off the intermediate run. Despite immediate CPR and life-saving efforts by fellow patrollers and Snowmass Ski Patrol, he could not be revived.
The coroner has ruled the cause of death as blunt force trauma. An investigation by Aspen Skiing Company and local authorities continues, but no equipment malfunction or avalanche danger has been reported.
Lower Creekside is a blue-square trail popular with families and employees. It had received fresh snow overnight, but conditions were described as “good to excellent” by the resort that morning.
Remembering Rohan Williamson
Friends and coworkers describe Williamson as an exceptionally skilled skier who spent more than two decades keeping Colorado mountains safe.
He worked seasons at both Crested Butte and Snowmass, earning respect for his calm demeanor during emergencies and his deep love for the sport.
“Rohan was the guy you wanted showing up if something went wrong,” one longtime patroller told us. “He lived for these mountains. This just doesn’t feel real.”
His sudden death has hit the ski patrol community especially hard. Many patrollers knew him personally from shared shifts, avalanche training courses, and late-night radio checks.
Colorado’s Deadly Start to the Season
Williamson’s death is the fourth on-mountain fatality in Colorado since December 20:
- December 20: 63-year-old skier died after hitting a tree at Winter Park
- December 23: 22-year-old snowboarder died in bounds at Copper Mountain
- December 26: Out-of-bounds skier found dead near Loveland Pass
- December 28: Rohan Williamson at Snowmass
That pace matches some of the deadliest seasons in recent memory. By comparison, Colorado averaged about six total ski-related deaths per season over the past decade, according to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center and resort records.
Early season conditions, higher speeds after storm cycles, and crowded slopes during holiday weeks are being cited by safety experts as contributing factors.
How Resorts and Patrollers Are Responding
Aspen Skiing Company immediately increased tree-well and trauma training for all patrollers following the accident.
The company also reminded employees and guests about the “Your Responsibility Code” and the importance of skiing within limits, especially in wooded areas.
Snowmass has added extra signage on Lower Creekside and several other trails with tree exposure. Patrol teams are conducting more frequent sweep checks in high-risk zones.
Mental health resources have been made available to all employees, with many patrollers taking voluntary days off to process the loss.
A Community in Mourning
Vigil candles and flowers now mark the spot where Williamson was found. Dozens of patrollers from across Colorado gathered Saturday night at the base of Snowmass to share stories and honor their fallen brother.
“Every one of us skis past trees every single day,” one patroller said, voice cracking. “We know the risk is always there. But when it happens to someone as good as Rohan, it just breaks you.”
The loss resonates far beyond Snowmass. Ski patrollers in Telluride, Vail, and Breckenridge have posted tributes online, many wearing black armbands during shifts this weekend.
This tragedy is a stark reminder that even the most experienced among us are never fully safe on the mountain.
Our deepest condolences go out to Rohan Williamson’s family, friends, and the entire Aspen Skiing Company and Crested Butte ski patrol families.
If you’re heading to the slopes this season, ski with care, know your limits, and keep Rohan and all those we’ve lost in your thoughts.
What do you think resorts and skiers can do to make the mountains safer? Drop your thoughts below.
