Beloved US Ski Team director of alpine world cups passes away

Steve Zuckerman at work with the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Team before his recent, untimely passing. Photo: courtesy of U.S. Ski and Snowboard

VAIL, Colo. — U.S. Ski & Snowboard has reported that Steve Zuckerman, the medical director of the Birds of Prey World Cup race in Beaver Creek, passed away on Friday, Feb. 23, while on a backcountry rescue operation in the Vail area.

Zuckerman, or “Zman,” was a dedicated paramedic, ski patroller and champion of medical safety. He was an integral part of the Birds of Prey race for more than 20 years, as well as the head of the Beaver Creek Ski Patrol and member of the Eagle County Paramedic Services. Zuckerman’s dedication to excellence in mountain safety was recognized internationally as he was invited to work with several host nations to establish their on-snow response protocols for world championships and Olympic games.

Apart from the work he did with the World Cup in Beaver Creek, Zuckerman also helped to shape on-hill care for athletes as part of the required Medical Emergencies in Skiing and Snowboarding course for all U.S. Ski & Snowboard volunteer physicians, which teaches doctors to apply their medical knowledge in the mountain environment. Through this course, Zuckerman led a group of Beaver Creek patrollers in teaching more than 70 physicians how to successfully manage trauma on the hill. Zuckerman recently supported U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s Sports Medicine Team in bringing the course to Park City, Utah in expectation of the upcoming 2034 Olympic Winter Games.

“U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s hearts go out to his two children, many friends and family. He will be missed,” the organization said in a statement.