A skier has been hospitalised following a dramatic collision with a tree while attempting to fly down a slope using a small paraglider at a popular US ski resort.
The Mammoth Mountain Incident
The alarming event occurred on Tuesday at the Mammoth Mountain Ski Area in California. The individual, equipped with skis and a small paragliding wing known as a speedwing, was filmed from the Cloud 9 ski lift by another rider, who later posted the footage to Reddit.
The video shows the skier flying laterally across the mountain, passing over a cluster of trees before rapidly losing altitude. The person hit the ground and then skidded into a tree with significant force. The impact sent their skis flying, and they came to a rest approximately 20 feet downhill.
The Reddit user who captured the footage reported hearing screams from the skier after the crash and promptly alerted the ski patrol, who arrived swiftly to provide assistance.
Resort Response and Safety Violations
Emily van Greuning, a spokesperson for Mammoth Mountain, confirmed the incident to SFGate, stating the person involved was transported to hospital. Their current condition has not been disclosed.
The spokesperson emphasised that paragliding is strictly prohibited at the resort, a rule that aligns with federal regulations and policies at virtually all ski areas across the United States. James Bradley, the executive director of the U.S. Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association, suggested the skier was likely using a speedwing, a compact paraglider favoured by some skiers and snowboarders for rapid descent.
Bradley expressed confusion over the manoeuvre, noting, "I’m a little mystified by what happened, because it looked at a glance that he could have turned left sooner and gotten more ground clearance."
Brotherhood and Consequences
The incident has wider implications for the paragliding community. Bradley confirmed his association would investigate the individual involved and may pursue disciplinary action, including rescinding their membership.
"We will pursue our usual discipline process with them, because they’re putting at risk for all of us by not respecting the rules of the mountain," he stated.
While most resorts completely ban such activities, a handful, like Aspen Snowmass, permit paragliders to use lifts only to access specific, non-restricted public lands away from the resort's operational areas. Typically, resorts require signed liability agreements or club membership for any access.
No further information regarding the skier's identity or the extent of their injuries has been released.
