Monarch Mountain, CO : Backinger dies in accident at Monarch Mountain on Wednesday, 4th March, 2020

Elise Backinger, 75, of Poncha Springs died after colliding with a tree just off the Shagnasty ski trail at Monarch Mountain at about 10:45 a.m. Wednesday.

Shagnasty is an upper mountain black diamond, or most difficult, run.

Ski patrol was nearby and was able to respond to the scene immediately.

Backinger was wearing a helmet and was alert when ski patrol responded.

She was transported to Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center by Chaffee County EMS and later by REACH Air Medical to UC Health Memorial Medical Center in Colorado Springs, where she was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.

Jeff Graf, Chaffee County Coroner, said an autopsy will be conducted today by the El Paso County Coroner’s office to determine the exact cause of death.

Monarch Ski Area General Manager Randy Stroud said, “We are heartbroken by the news of the incident. Monarch is small ski area, and everyone here is family. She had been a longtime local friend here at Monarch and we are devastated. Our deepest condolences go out to all her loved ones.”

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