Teen dies in snowboarding accident at Blacktail Mountain

[gerard]

KALISPELL - A 14-year-old Lakeside girl died Monday in a snowboarding accident at Blacktail Mountain Ski Area.

The accident was reported at noon, when the girl reportedly was found unconscious. Flathead County Deputy Coroner Dave Leib said she apparently hit a tree.

The girl was flown by helicopter to a hospital in Kalispell. Her name was not released.


Blacktail Mountain is about 15 miles west of Lakeside. Manager Steve Spencer said the fatality was the ski area's first accident-related death. The resort reported a death caused by a heart attack a few years ago.

Leib said the girl was a novice snowboarder and was wearing a helmet.

[TheDanger-Zone]

Man that sucks, so young. But there is a lesson in this article.
Novice Riders should stay on the Blues and Greens and Leave the Blacks, DD and the Glades to more Experienced Riders and Skiers.
My heart goes out to her Family.

[DPancoast]

wow...that's terrible man. The part that suprises me is that she was wearing a helmet. Hopefully she went peacefully. She's in my thoughts.

[gerard]

Thats why I don't like riding alone. If someone was there and got to her sooner, things might have been different.

[TheDanger-Zone]

So true G, I Love riding a lone. But I do stay out of the glades when I do.
And Try to Stay on the main Trails also when I ride alone.

Same here D, my hat goes off to all families and loved once that have lots a rider.

[SnoChica]

Well... there is no indication that she was in a gladed run... she may have simply lost control on any type of run, maybe less populated... maybe no one saw her slip into the trees... and hit a tree.

It is terribly unfortunate. Must've been a neck injury if she was wearing her helmet and still did not make it.

[TheDanger-Zone]

Well... there is no indication that she was in a gladed run... she may have simply lost control on any type of run, maybe less populated... maybe no one saw her slip into the trees... and hit a tree.

It is terribly unfortunate. Musta been a neck injury if she was wearing her helmet and still did not make it.

This is true, Sno I was not really thinking about running off a groomed run into the trees.
But you never know unless you was there.
But all that aside it is truly sad, I can feel the parents pain, I know I would be a wreck if one of my kids died.
I hope they do not blame snowboarding in General.

this is another reason why I push newbies to take a lesson or two. I see so many riding beyond their control level.

[DPancoast]

I don't know if this would turn into a blame game on snowboarding. If it did, it would go on for years. Something doesn't add up. Depending on where she was, she was unattended. I don't know about you guys, but I wasn't unattended to when I was 14.

But just a note. Im not blaming the parents by saying that. It was a terrible accident and accidents happen. It just really sucks. I hate riding alone on bigger mountains. When I go out West, my dad and I are ALWAYS together, even with my 10 years and his 15+ years experience....One slip and you could be done. Definatly makes you think about how you ride.

[ride_ak]

Wow that's really harsh...i couldn't imagine...I've had to deal with my little brother..11...in first aid...he was going down a Diamond run hit an ice spot and dislocated his shoulder and broke his collar bone....he did the run all by himself and rode down to the first aid station....i was scared ****less when i found out what happened....i couldn't imagine anything worse...

my heart and prayers go out to that family

[GNU_Rider]

reguardless where it happened it happened although I have to agree with all that's been said and I never ride alone for one it's kind of boring 'cause there's no one to psych you up but also you fall and you could be screwed. My thoughts and heart are with the family

[Naked Hiker]

My heart goes out to her family and friends, but I can say this at least she was out doing what she loved! That is the way i would want to go.........so sad. =(

[relhowtnt04]

from a NSP member and avid snowboarder, my heart and prayers go out, let all rember her in our prayers when we go out riding next time, and dedicate a run to her

[P0Wdr]

that's so sad, I pray her family is doing ok

[ibell42]

So unfortunate that a young girl lost her life. If you think about it atleast she was doing something that she obviously enjoyed, mabey even loved. Hopefully she didn't suffer. I feel for her family.

Another point i would like to add for all of my fellow riders...
This is is a powerful example of how you are not invincible even if you are wearing a helmet. Please be careful.

Peace,
Ian

[Lexi]

that blows hardcore. I wonder is there was a health issue involved that may have caused her to hit the tree. my mom has this thing called syncope and basically what happens is she will just pass out randomly. i wonder if this girl had something like that and just did not know it yet. i hope her family is doing alright, i know folks down here will be praying for them.

[alexwithad3]

I feel sorry, thats really a shame, i hope her family holds up well.
This reminds me of an incident two years ago i believe at seven springs, a skier was going past 80mph, and hit a tree, and was wearing a helmet, he died instantly...so many accidents, we should all be more careful, and help out other people in need.

[brneyedbdrchicky]

It's always so unfortunate when a bright star that shines so brightly suddenly goes out. Hopefully this bright young star didn't suffer for too long. Then again God knew that she would shine brighter along side him.

God Bless her family in such a tragic time, may they find peace and tranquility knowing that she is safe out of harm's way now.

[sweetlife]

wow this is really sad. I like to ride by myself, but after my accident last season, i will never ride alone again. There are many health conditions that could cause this to happen, but from my experience, it seems that it may have been a severe neck injury from the helmet.