Minneapolis skier dies after hitting chairlift tower at Welch Village
A 25-year-old Minneapolis man, Walker Phenix Nelson, died Saturday night after colliding with a chairlift support tower at Welch Village ski area in Goodhue County. The Sheriff’s Office says deputies were called around 8:37 p.m. Feb. 1 for a skier who had struck a tower; bystanders had already started CPR when first-responders arrived, and Red Wing Fire paramedics pronounced Nelson dead at 9:15 p.m. Authorities say several people witnessed the crash, but have not yet released details on what led up to the impact. The death is a serious safety incident at one of the main hills serving Twin Cities skiers and riders, and the investigation continues.
📌 Key Facts
- Victim identified as Walker Phenix Nelson, 25, of Minneapolis
- Collision with a chairlift support tower at Welch Village reported at 8:37 p.m. Feb. 1, 2026
- Bystanders began CPR before responders arrived; Red Wing paramedics pronounced Nelson dead at 9:15 p.m.
📊 Relevant Data
In the 2023/2024 ski season, there were 35 fatalities at U.S. ski resorts.
2025 Ski Injury Statistics — Reiff Law Firm
Collisions with trees and man-made structures like chairlift towers are a common cause of fatal ski accidents, accounting for almost half of deaths in the 2023/24 season.
[Updated 2025] Ski Injury Statistics — Rosenbaum & Associates
Middle-aged men comprise the highest number of skier fatalities at U.S. resorts, with brain trauma being the most common cause of death, mostly due to collisions.
Middle-Aged Men Comprise the Highest Skier Fatalities at Resorts — Ski Magazine
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