A Crested Butte teenager died Sunday after crashing on Copper Mountain while warming up for a competition.
Asher Crank, 17, fell approximately 30 feet Saturday after going off a jump in the Copper Mountain terrain park, according to Summitt County Coroner Joanne Richardson. He was wearing a helmet.
He was flown to St. Anthony Central Hospital, where he died from his injuries Sunday.
Copper Mountain issued a statement that said the teen was participating in a “sanctioned competition” on the mountain at the time of the accident.
The statement did not name the competition, although the Copper Series was scheduled for Saturday and Sunday.
Crank was a student at the Crested Butte Academy – a prep school that attracts competitive runner, skiers and snowboarders.
Friends said Sunday he was well-known in the small skiing town for his personality and his skill as a freeride skier.
He was “one of the most well-liked children in Crested Butte,” said school headmaster Graham Frey. “In fact, at the local pizza place he has a pizza named after him.”
Crank is featured on the academy’s website.
“Asher has stepped it up this year with a new bag of tricks,” read a note from his coach, Ben Somrak. “His style was nearly unmatched and left the competition in the dust – a wonderful start to his big season of competitions.”
Staff writer Felisa Cardona can be reached at 303-954-1219 or fcardona@denverpost.com.
