What began as a quiet family outing on Christmas Eve 2010 ended in tragedy for the Johnson family—and has since become a sobering warning about safety on ski slopes nationwide.
Elise Johnson was just 5 years old, skiing alongside her mother, Kelli Johnson, on a short blue run at their local mountain in Casper, Wyoming. As Kelli stopped to adjust Elise’s ski near the edge of the trail, a snowboarder traveling an estimated 50 to 60 miles per hour struck them from behind, according to accounts later shared by the family.
Elise was thrown roughly 50 feet and died from a broken neck. The snowboarder, identified as Craig Shirley, was also thrown from the impact and died at the scene from blunt force trauma. Kelli Johnson survived but suffered a catastrophic traumatic brain injury. Doctors were initially unsure if she would wake up, let alone regain basic functions. She ultimately had to relearn how to speak and swallow.
At the time of the crash, Elise’s father, Chauncy Johnson—an experienced snowboarder—was on a nearby bunny hill with the couple’s other young daughter. Their infant son was with grandparents at the lodge.
In the years since, the Johnsons have transformed their grief into advocacy, founding the Snow Angel Foundation to promote slope safety, education, and accountability. The organization focuses on speed awareness, helmet use, and the shared responsibility outlined in ski resort safety codes, including the long-standing rule that downhill users have the right of way.
“Skiing is often seen as a family-friendly activity, but speed can turn deadly in seconds,” a Snow Angel Foundation representative said, echoing concerns shared by safety experts. According to industry data, high-speed collisions—though relatively rare—are a leading cause of fatal injuries on ski slopes, particularly involving children.
The Johnsons say their message is not anti-skiing or anti-snowboarding, but pro-awareness. Their warning to families is simple: visibility, speed control, and respect for others on the slope can mean the difference between a holiday memory and irreversible loss.
More than a decade later, Elise’s story continues to resonate—reminding parents, riders, and resorts alike that safety on the slopes is a shared responsibility.
