Skier Rescued After 200-Foot Fall in Emperor Couloir on Torreys Peak

Photo: Chaffee County Search and Rescue North

A Colorado backcountry skier is lucky to be alive after taking a 200-foot fall from near the top of the Emperor Couloir on Torreys Peak last Friday. The skier reportedly suffered a lower leg injury and came to rest just above a cliff band on the north face of the 14,267-foot peak.

The Alpine Rescue Team was notified around noon and quickly mobilized a response. High winds shut down the initial plan to insert rescuers by helicopter, forcing six field teams to climb more than 2,500 vertical feet over snow, rock, and ice to reach the injured skier. While teams ascended, mission coordinators worked with the Colorado Search and Rescue Association (CSAR) to request a helicopter hoist based on the severity of the skier’s injuries and the terrain complexity.

By 7:00 p.m., the skier was successfully extracted by a Flight For Life Colorado helicopter. All rescuers were out of the field by 10:00 p.m. “This was a large call involving many resources,” Alpine Rescue Team shared via social media. “We’re always happy to help those having a bad day in the mountains.” The operation brought together multiple agencies, including Alpine Rescue Team, Flight For Life Colorado, Clear Creek County Sheriff’s Office, Clear Creek Fire Authority, Clear Creek EMS, CDOT, Colorado National Guard, Jeffcom 911, and CSAR.

Torreys Peak’s Emperor Couloir is a committing line that draws experienced skiers for its aesthetic descent—but it demands respect. With lingering snowpack instability and no easy exit once committed, incidents like this are a reminder of how quickly things can turn. Massive shoutout to the volunteers and professionals who make backcountry rescue possible. They don’t charge a dime—and they’ve got your back when everything goes sideways.