Alessio Sotgiu, 14, of Monroe County, Critically Injured in Skiing Accident at Bristol Mountain Ski Resort in Ontario County
ONTARIO COUNTY, NEW YORK (January 22, 2026) – A 14-year-old boy identified as Alessio Sotgiu was seriously injured in a skiing accident at the Bristol Mountain Ski Resort in Ontario County.
Ontario County officials are saying that the accident took place on Saturday afternoon. Alessio Sotgiu was skiing with his friends when he was cut off while coming down one of the runs.
He was forced to make a quick adjustment before colliding with a large metal snowmaker. Paramedics were called to the scene to help Alessio Sotgiu.
He was airlifted to Strong Memorial Hospital to receive treatment. A family friend said that he has a long recovery period ahead of him.
You can help support the victim and his family through GoFundMe. According to the online fundraiser:
“Alessio, a beloved teen from Fairport, was critically injured in a tragic skiing accident. His family is facing overwhelming medical expenses while focusing on what matters most—his recovery. Any donation, no matter the size, will help ease the financial burden and show the Sotgiu family they are not alone. Please consider giving and sharing.” #FairportStrong #FightingForAlessio
Liability for New York Skiing Accidents
Determining liability for any type of skiing accident in New York can be difficult. One of the considerations courts will look at is the assumption of risk doctrine. Like many activities, skiing can be dangerous and carries certain risks. But these risks do not override a property owner’s duty of care to maintain their premises in a reasonably safe condition. A ski resort in New York can be liable for a skier’s injury if it was caused by a dangerous condition on their premises. There are numerous ways that a ski resort may have contributed to an accident through their own negligence.
- Unprotected Fixed Objects: Fixed objects can become lethal hazards to skiers. Ideally, these objects should either be well guarded or protected or entirely removed from the path of skiers to begin with. If a ski resort leaves a heavy fixed object like a snowmaker in the path of skiers, this could be construed as negligence.
- Trail Design: A ski resort may have created runs that are inherently dangerous due to sharp turns, sudden drop-offs, or blind knolls. A run-out may be designed in such a way so that it funnels skiers into fixed objects or buildings.
- Industry Standards: A ski resort may have failed to follow safety guidelines set by the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA). This could include situations where runs are not properly illuminated at night.
A number of ski resorts in New York have faced lawsuits after skiers collided with fixed objects. Consider, for example, Dailey v. Labrador Dev. Corp. (4th Dept 2016). A man lost control while skiing in Onondaga County and fell to the ground. He slid roughly 15 to 30 feet before colliding with an unpadded metal pole that was part of a snowmaking machine. Attorneys for the plaintiff argued that the fixed, man-made pole created a hazardous condition for skiers by being in close proximity to an active ski trail. In other words, the pole created a foreseeable risk of injury if a skier lost control.
Steps to Take After Being Injured at a Ski Resort
Many people are seriously injured in accidents while skiing every year. A number of these accidents result in brain injuries. According to one study in Sports Health, “Brain injuries are the most common severe traumatic injury associated with skiing and the injury with the highest fatality prevalence. Disturbances in consciousness or signs of concussion have been reported in 22% to 42% of skiing-related head injuries.” It is important that certain actions are taken after any accident at a ski resort.
- Medical Attention: Victims should seek medical attention as early as possible. Even seemingly minor injuries can be much more traumatic and consequential when reviewed by a doctor.
- Medical Documents: All of the medical documents related to a person’s treatment should be carefully collected. These can help establish the nature and extent of a person’s injuries.
- Evidence Preservation: Evidence related to the accident should be sought and preserved. For example, photos of the accident site should be taken. This can help reveal whether or not any ski run was in a dangerous condition.
- Eyewitnesses: The eyewitnesses of any accident at a ski resort should be interviewed as soon as possible while their memories are still fresh. They can play an important role in establishing what led up to a crash.
- Legal Review: The parents of any child injured in a skiing accident should carefully consider their legal options with an experienced premises liability attorney. An attorney can review the unique facts of any case free of cost and help determine whether or not a victim has an actionable claim.
It can be hard to know where to begin after being injured in any accident at a ski resort. Victims often sustain life-altering injuries. They may also be burdened with high medical bills. To make matters worse, ski resorts and their insurance providers will virtually never accept responsibility if someone is injured on their property. This is why it is so important that these incidents are properly reviewed by an outside party. Any person injured in an accident at a ski resort may be able to seek some measure of justice and accountability through a personal injury claim. Damages in a civil claim can help cover lost wages, medical bills, and pain and suffering.
Investigating Accidents at Bristol Mountain Ski Resort
We at Richmond Vona extend our best wishes to Alessio Sotgiu as he continues to recover. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what went wrong so that similar tragedies can be prevented. Many questions remain unanswered at this time. Is there a history of similar accidents at the ski resort? What was the exact placement of the snowmaker? Had this snowmaker been placed in a different location, this incident may have been averted entirely.
Have you or someone you care about been injured at the Bristol Mountain Ski Resort? You may have legal recourse. Our team of experienced premises liability attorneys is here to answer any questions that you may have. We are committed to helping victims get the medical and financial support that they need. Our team will move heaven and earth to hold the parties that harmed you accountable for their actions. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support, we are here to serve your needs. You can reach out to us anytime at 716-500-5678.
