Skier Who Died at Monarch Identified

The woman who died Wednesday at Monarch Mountain has been identified as 75-year-old Elise Backinger of Poncha Springs.

Backinger died after colliding with a tree on the Shagnasty ski run Wednesday morning. 

Backinger was wearing a helmet and was able to respond when ski patrol arrived. 

She was transported to Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center then med-flighted to UC Health in Colorado Springs where she was pronounced dead. 

Monarch Mountain General Manager Randy Stroud said in a statement, “We are heartbroken by the news of the incident.  Monarch is a 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.”