Vail Resorts Sued Over Avalanche Death

A judge in Colorado is reviewing a motion by Vail Resorts to dismiss a lawsuit filed by the parents of a 13-year-old boy who died in an avalanche while skiing at the resort.

The wrongful death suit was filed by the parents of Taft Conlin, who claim negligence at the resort created an “avalanche trap” that killed their son on January 22.

Vail Resorts filed the motion to dismiss the case, alleging that the company complied with Colorado’s Skier Safety Act and that Taft’s death was the result of the ‘inherent dangers and risks’ of skiing.

The plaintiffs contend that an avalanche does not constitute an inherent risk of skiing.

The parents’ attorney argued that avalanche is not listed as an inherent risk of skiing in the text of the Skier Safety Act.

The judge is expected to make a ruling on the motion later this week.