Vail Founder's Grandson Killed in Avalanche

Accident happens in East Vail Chutes
By John Johnson,  Newser Staff
Posted Jan 7, 2014 4:24 PM CST
Updated Jan 8, 2014 6:20 AM CST
1 Dead, 3 Hurt in Colorado Avalanche
File photo of a mountain in Vail, Colo.   (Shutterstock)

A "large" avalanche in Colorado yesterday morning killed the grandson of the man credited with co-founding Vail; three others sustained minor injuries, reports the Denver Post. The avalanche took place in the East Vail Chutes, which the Denver Channel describes as a "backcountry area" not affiliated with the Vail Resort that Peter Seibert opened in 1962. Authorities had warned that morning of a "considerable" avalanche threat in the region thanks to recent storms and high winds, and the Post reports that 24-year-old Tony Seibert was skiing in an area known for experiencing perilous slides.

To wit, the Post says experts regard the area as one of the deadliest locations for avalanches in the entire US that can be accessed from a resort. An executive for Vail Mountain gave the following statement: " I want to acknowledge how integral the Seibert family is to the fabric of our community. ... This is an incomprehensible loss." The Denver Channel describes Tony as "a talented extreme skier who made and performed in ski videos." The Post adds that Tony Seibert's mother is employed by the Vail Ski Patrol, though it's unclear whether she was working yesterday. (More avalanche stories.)

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