16 Volunteers Save Injured Skier Near Colorado's Mace Peak

A backcountry skier who couldn't walk after injuring their leg in Colorado's Elk Range is safe today, thanks to 16 volunteers who sprang into action on Saturday morning.

The emergency began at 9:45 a.m. when an SOS signal reached dispatchers from near Mace Peak. One member of a four-person skiing party had suffered a lower leg injury and couldn't move on their own.

By pure luck, four Mountain Rescue Aspen volunteers were already skiing nearby when the call came in. They reached the injured skier almost immediately while their teammates assembled a larger rescue operation.

Within hours, 16 rescue volunteers were working together to save the stranded skier. The team coordinated tracked ATVs, additional ski teams, and a Flight for Life helicopter to handle the remote location.

The rescue got a boost from an unexpected resource. Tagert Hut, a backcountry shelter near the accident site, housed an emergency sled that volunteers used to transport the skier to a helicopter landing zone.

The Ripple Effect

This rescue showcases what happens when communities invest in volunteer emergency services. Mountain Rescue Aspen operates entirely on volunteer power, with members training year-round to help strangers in their most vulnerable moments.

The quick response likely prevented the injury from worsening in harsh mountain conditions. By 1:10 p.m., just over three hours after the initial call, every team member was safely out of the field and the skier was receiving hospital care at Aspen Valley Health.

Parker Lathrop, chief deputy of operations for Pitkin County Sheriff, noted the timing was crucial given current conditions. Snow coverage in the Elk Range is inconsistent and melting, creating unpredictable terrain for backcountry adventurers.

The rescue also highlights the importance of preparation. The injured skier's satellite communication device made the difference between a quick rescue and a potential tragedy in an area with no cell service.

Thanks to 16 people who chose to spend their weekends training for emergencies, one skier gets to heal at home instead of being stranded on a mountain.