Skiing in Colorado has a lot of positives, including some seriously difficult terrain, stunning views, and massive resorts. Additionally, with many of the state’s ski resorts sitting on National Forest Land deep in the mountains, there’s a good amount of opportunity for wildlife experiences right on the trail.
That includes the potential to see some moose, with around 3,000 living throughout the state. However, despite their potentially friendly look, moose can be very dangerous animals and skiers/snowboarders always need to stay well away, even if they’re right on the trail. This skier at Crested Butte didn’t exactly follow those guidelines, falling to the ground as one of the two moose charged right at them.
According to historical records dating back to the 1850s, moose never established a stable breeding population in Colorado. That changed when Colorado Parks and Wildlife began introducing the animals to the state from Utah, Wyoming, and other areas. Today the population is stable and close to 3,000, meaning visitors and residents should know what to do in the event of an encounter.
The most important step to staying safe during a moose encounter is to give the animal plenty of space. On the ski trail, that means stopping a good distance away and letting the animal move without obstruction. Getting charged by a moose can easily lead to injury or worse if it decides to attack, so stay back!
