A ski coach with the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club was reportedly assaulted at Steamboat Resort, Colorado, on Saturday, January 4, leaving him with what police described as a concussion. According to Sgt. Evan Noble of the Steamboat Springs Police Department, and first reported by the Steamboat Pilot, the incident occurred while the coach was instructing children on a ski jump along the Short Cut run.
The confrontation began when another skier approached the coach, allegedly upset about where the coach was standing. Sgt. Noble reported that the skier’s language was “very vulgar,” leading to an argument. To de-escalate the situation, the coach tried using calmer language before skiing away with the children to remove them from the conflict. However, the skier reportedly pursued the coach, eventually grabbing and punching him three times, causing injuries that required medical attention.
After the altercation, the coach escorted the children to the base area and reported the incident to Steamboat Ski Corp. security. The police were notified, and the Steamboat Springs Police Department subsequently posted a photo of the suspect on their Facebook page, seeking assistance from the public to identify the individual. The photo, which was provided by the victim, initially led to the wrong person being identified.
“The individual named in the initial report was not the actual suspect,” Sgt. Noble clarified to the Steamboat Pilot. “However, we believe we now have correctly identified the individual responsible.” According to Noble, the suspect’s identity was confirmed through video footage, ski pass records, and tips from the public. The suspect, whose name has not been disclosed, reportedly owns an Ikon Pass, though his place of residence has not been confirmed. Authorities are currently working on securing a warrant for his arrest.
Sgt. Noble commended the coach for his handling of the situation, emphasizing that the coach followed appropriate steps to ensure the safety of the children. He told the Steamboat-based magazine that these incidents are rare and that parents can feel confident that their children’s ski instructors are equipped to manage such situations responsibly. The decision to use social media for identifying the suspect was deemed effective, reaching a wide audience and aiding in the investigation. Noble added that social media can be a valuable tool in cases like this.
