Damages Aspect of Suit Against Vail Resorts Allowed to Continue

Vail Resorts could have to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars in damages to the family of a teenager who died in an avalanche while skiing in January 2012.

The Vail Daily reports Saturday that a district court judge has allowed the parents of 13-year-old Taft Conlin to seek damages if a jury finds in their favor.

Conlin died in an avalanche on upper Prima Cornice on the front side of Vail Mountain.

His parents sued, saying the company didn’t close the run despite the avalanche danger. They say Vail violated the Colorado Ski Safety Act when it closed the top gate to Prima Cornice but not the lower gate.

Vail Resorts’ attorney Robert Blume says Conlin took an inappropriate risk.

Damages could be more than $700,000.