16 Volunteers Save Injured Skier in 3.5-Hour Colorado Rescue

A backcountry skier with a broken leg got a second chance Saturday when 16 volunteer rescuers coordinated a flawless mountain evacuation in Colorado's Elk Range.

The emergency call came in at 9:45 a.m. from near Mace Peak, where one member of a four-person ski group had injured their lower leg and couldn't move. Within minutes, Mountain Rescue Aspen sprang into action.

Four volunteer rescuers were already skiing nearby when the SOS signal reached dispatchers. They arrived on scene almost immediately, providing critical first aid while coordinators assembled a larger rescue operation.

The rescue team pulled off something remarkable: they retrieved an emergency sled from nearby Tagert Hut, coordinated with Flight for Life helicopter services, and deployed tracked ATVs and additional ski teams. Sixteen volunteers worked together to evacuate the injured skier to a safe landing zone where the helicopter could reach them.

By 1:10 p.m., just three and a half hours after the initial call, every team member was safely off the mountain. The injured skier was receiving treatment at Aspen Valley Health.

The Ripple Effect

This rescue showcases what dedicated volunteers can accomplish when communities invest in emergency preparedness. Mountain Rescue Aspen operates entirely on volunteer power, with members sacrificing their own weekend plans to train rigorously and respond at a moment's notice.

Their quick response likely prevented a minor injury from becoming life-threatening. Backcountry conditions in the Elk Range are currently unpredictable, with inconsistent snow coverage and rapid melting creating hazardous terrain.

The Pitkin County Sheriff's Office reminded backcountry adventurers to carry satellite communication devices, the exact technology that made this happy ending possible. That simple preparation turned a potentially tragic situation into a testament to human cooperation and skill.

Sixteen strangers became heroes because they chose to serve their community, and one skier gets to recover surrounded by loved ones instead of spending a cold night on a mountainside.