A 34-year-old woman who struck a tree and died while skiing at Purgatory Resort on Saturday has been identified as Farmington resident Kressyda Ming, according to La Plata County coroner Jann Smith.
Smith said Sunday morning that next of kin had been notified of Ming’s death.
Smith said that Ming was skiing the lower Demon Trail, an intermediate ski trail, when she collided with a tree. The incident was reported about 3:15 p.m. near the base of Purgatory Resort.
A Flight for Life helicopter arrived at Purgatory around 4 p.m., and Ming was pronounced dead around 4:30 p.m. She was wearing a helmet at the time of the collision.
“She didn’t die instantly, but she wasn’t able to be revived,” Smith said.
Smith said Ming was skiing at Purgatory for the weekend with a few friends. An autopsy is planned Monday to determine exactly what her injuries were, Smith said.
“All of us at Purgatory Resort are deeply saddened by this rare and tragic accident, and we extend our deepest sympathies to the friends and family of the skier,” Colin McBeath, general manager of Purgatory Resort, told The Durango Herald on Saturday.
