Young Ski Racer Critically Injured at Nakiska Resort
A 9-year-old girl was critically injured at Nakiska Ski Resort on Sunday after an apparent collision with a tree. She was found unconscious and unresponsive around 1 p.m., according to early reports.
The original news report can be found here:
👉 Calgary Herald – Young skier injured at Nakiska a member of race program
“It’s a very, very sad day for our team,” said Mosteller. “It’s so horrible. I can’t even fathom what the family is going through.”
How the Incident Unfolded
Despite strong coaching supervision and a program that places heavy emphasis on safety and proper ski protocol, details of the incident remain unclear. The teams are typically well-equipped, and all young skiers are required to wear helmets and appropriate gear.
However, early information suggests that the child’s helmet may have come off during the collision.
Other skiers on the hill discovered the girl and immediately alerted Nakiska ski patrol. Ski patrol members initiated CPR on scene before transporting her to the on-site medical facility.
Emergency Response
Paramedics from Kananaskis met the patrol team at the base, where they requested assistance from STARS Air Ambulance.
According to EMS, the girl was “aggressively treated” before being airlifted in critical condition to Alberta Children’s Hospital in Calgary.
Alberta Alpine, the governing body for ski racing in the province, did not return calls for further comment at the time of reporting.
The Life-Saving Importance of CPR & First Aid
This incident is a powerful reminder of how quickly emergencies can occur, even in well-supervised, safety-focused environments. The immediate response from bystanders and ski patrol — including CPR — played a critical role in giving this young skier a chance at survival.
Early CPR and AED use dramatically increase survival rates during cardiac arrest or traumatic emergencies.
If more people are trained, more lives can be saved in those crucial minutes before paramedics arrive.
Learn How to Respond in an Emergency
Becoming trained in first aid gives you the confidence to act quickly and effectively when seconds matter.
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