Why Is this Group of Skiers is the Most Likely to Have a Fatal Accident?

May 25, 2024

In an attempt to see exactly who is getting injured and killed out there—and how—Outside dug into stats provided by the National Ski Areas Association, the trade group which represents over 300 alpine ski areas in the U.S. The results were both expected and surprising.

The data doesn’t lie: Middle-aged men are most likely to misjudge their abilities and get in over their heads. Most of the on-mountain fatalities during the 2022-’23 season occurred to people who were between the ages of 51 and 60. So while the stereotype is that the young guns hucking cliffs and skiing way too fast are paying the ultimate price, in reality, it’s the middle-aged guys. Outside