Sam Beall, proprietor of a world-famous Tennessee resort, died of blunt force trauma to his chest after skiing into a wooden pole at Beaver Creek Ski Resort last week, officials say.
Eagle County Coroner Kara Bettis said Wednesday that Beall’s death has been ruled an accident.
“It wasn’t witnessed,” Bettis explained. “The person he was with didn’t see it happen.”
The resort said in a statement on Feb. 25. He was transported to Vail Valley Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
Bettis said Beall was wearing a helmet, but that he died from injuries to his chest.
Beall, the owner of Blackberry Farm, a luxury hotel in Walland, Tenn. called Blackberry Farm, had a wife and five children. He was considered a .
The resort was founded by Florida and Dave Laiser in 1930. Sandy and Kreis Beall opened a country inn on the 4,200-acre property in 1976 — the same year Sam was born.
Sam Beall took over as proprietor of Blackberry Farm in 1998.
Under his leadership, Blackberry Farm received a number of accolades, including Travel + Leisure’s No. 1 hotel in North America and Bon Appetit’s No. 1 hotel for food lovers.
The resort was also awarded three James Beard Awards, an honor for culinary excellence.
Jesse Paul: 303-954-1733, jpaul@denverpost.com or @JesseAPaul
