DENVER – A 72-year-old Boulder skier died Tuesday in a crash with a snowboarder at Eldora Ski Area that remains under investigation, authorities said.
The crash happened around 11 a.m. on the Windmill run at the ski area. The 72-year-old man was unconscious and not breathing when deputies were called out to the ski area, and the man died at the ski area’s first aid room despite ski patrol and paramedics working to resuscitate him, the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office and the ski area said in news releases.
The Boulder County Coroner's Office identified the skier Wednesday as Ronald Lemaster and said his cause and manner of death were pending further investigation.
BCSO and Eldora said the man and a male snowboarder from Wellington collided. A spokesperson for the sheriff’s office said he was treated for injuries and interviewed about the crash.
The spokesperson said the snowboarder was cooperating with detectives and that the investigation was ongoing. No criminal charges have been filed thus far.
Eldora said Lemaster was wearing a helmet at the time and that the slopes were not crowded.
Lemaster's LinkedIn page said he was a certified alpine ski instructor with Professional Ski Instructors of America – American Association of Snowboard Instructors (PSIA-AASI) and also a ski writer and photographer.
PSIA-AASI said it was saddened by the loss of Lemaster and said he was a coach, ski school trainer, and the author of Ultimate Skiing and articles in 32 Degrees.
PSIA-AASI called him “an icon in the snowsports industry.”
“He was also a kind and generous person willing to drop everything to chat about skiing efficiency, mechanics, and methodology,” said PSIA-AASI Education Director Dave Schuiling. “For me and so many others in the industry, he was an amazing mentor and friend. We just wrapped up working together on his digital course, ‘Skiing from the Snow Up,’ – and his most recent article in 32 Degrees is a tremendous example of his passion for sharing skiing with as many people as possible. Let’s all make some turns for Ron in his memory. Our hearts go out to his family.”
“We at Eldora offer our deepest sympathies to the skier’s family and friends, and we hold him and them in our thoughts and hearts during this difficult time,” Eldora Ski Area said in a statement.