Popular local Colorado skier Dallas LeBeau died on Tuesday after attempting a 40-foot jump over a path of highway near Winter Park, at the Berthoud Summit.
A Colorado skier has died after attempting a “high-risk stunt” that saw him try to jump 40 feet across a highway, Snow Brains reported.
At 3 p.m. on Tuesday, authorities were called to Highway 40, about six miles from Winter Park, Colorado, west of the Berthoud Pass summit. Witnesses reported an unconscious man on the road. When police arrived, they found a witness desperately attempting CPR on 21-year-old Dallas LeBeau. Unfortunately, the young adventurer was pronounced dead at the scene.
LeBeau and a group of friends had built a makeshift ramp on the slope, intending to film the skier’s attempt at clearing the roadway.
Some witnesses reported that he was not wearing a helmet or any additional protective gear, although other accounts dispute this.
"I drove past the setup on my way home, thinking about picking them up as hitchhikers," Reddit user @OGfromaSmallTown wrote. "Could tell it was a jump setup from all the cameras, but it looked so sketch. This was close to 3 p.m."
In the same Reddit post, another user claimed that LeBeau landed on the highway's guardrail, after which he was apparently struck by a vehicle.
Authorities believe that LeBeau didn’t have the necessary speed or time to surpass the roadway from where he jumped.
"I actually drove past it before the police and authorities arrived," user @johnbwell claimed. "I saw a dude in all black...just on the side of the road, not moving, and three guys stood over him on the phone. His helmet was on, but I couldn’t see anything on his face because [of] all the blood."
LeBeau was a celebrated skier, something of a local celebrity, and a rising star in the scene, having participated in this year’s Freeride World Tour Qualifiers. LeBeau’s Instagram account contains numerous videos in which he executes risky mid-air stunts. His most recent post, from March 25, showcases LeBeau’s wide range of skills.
A GoFundMe set up by his childhood friend, Devin Shirk, reports that LeBeau had been skiing since the age of two. To date, the fundraiser to cover the family’s funeral expenses has raised over $42,000 of a $20,000 goal.
Many of LeBeau’s friends and associates took to the GoFundMe’s comments to leave tributes for their late pal. All of them remembered LeBeau as an open-hearted, eager youth who was passionate about the sport.
“I was on team [sic] with him for five years,” wrote Declan Burt, “and he was always one of the older ones that took me under his wing. Such a kind and funny person and the most rad skier.”
“We met Dallas a while back,” Paul Krahulec recalled. “He was an inspiring slopestyle competitor in our local USASA series. His presence will be missed by all.”
Lawson Douglas remembered LeBeau taking the younger man under his wing when he began his journey with skiing. “I only skied with Dallas a few times as a kid in the Winter Park Comp Center. Dallas was a light, and I just remember how much fun I had those few times shredding. I know he will continue that wherever his soul ends up. Keep shredding my friend.”
Jaxson Holme called LeBeau his “best friend,” and noted that their respective skiing careers were inseparable from one another. “Dallas has been my best friend since we met on the first day of center,” Holme wrote. “We have shared highs and lows and everything in between. I will miss his eagerness to do the things he loved and his dedication to everyone in his life. Forever my best friend,” he concluded.
