Skier's Easter Day Disaster

A 26-year-old woman from Sweden found herself in a life-threatening situation following a skiing mishap at Banff Sunshine Village on Easter Sunday. The accident left her in critical condition, stemming from a severe head injury.

A Perilous Drop at Sunshine Village

The skier was tackling the notoriously difficult black diamond run named Ecstasy when disaster struck. She hit a challenging roller—a section of the slope that flattens before plunging steeply—and lost control due to excessive speed.

Witness to the Incident

Kendra Scurfield, the VP of marketing and communications at Banff Sunshine Village, revealed that a senior instructor, who witnessed the harrowing fall from the chairlift, acted swiftly by notifying dispatch and ski patrol.

Immediate Medical Response

Medical teams arrived on the scene within minutes. Despite her condition, the woman was reported to have vital signs and was promptly transported down the mountain to an awaiting ambulance. The STARS air ambulance arrived shortly after, taking her for urgent care.

Critical Condition, But Improving

At around 2:20 p.m., STARS was dispatched, reaching the site by 3:10 p.m. The young woman was airlifted to Calgary's Foothills Medical Centre in critical condition. However, Scurfield mentioned that her condition was showing signs of improvement as she was being loaded onto the helicopter. 'Our thoughts are with the patient, her family, and friends during this difficult time,' she expressed.

Safety on Challenging Slopes

Scurfield noted that the run in question is challenging but hasn't been frequent in incidents historically. Expert skiers tend to navigate harder runs with skill, potentially explaining the rarity of accidents.

A Call for Community Support

Authorities are grateful for the quick response from Bow Valley EMS and STARS, emphasizing the importance of having such capable medical partners on standby for emergencies. As updates on the skier’s health remain guarded due to privacy, the skiing community holds its breath, hoping for a full recovery.