The widow of a skier who was tragically killed in a January avalanche at the Winter Park ski area is suing its operator, Intrawest.

The 28-year-old man, a father of two, was skiing in a designated safe area on January 22. Reports indicate that he triggered a 40-foot-wide avalanche that barreled 30 feet down the hill, burying him. Rescuers later discovered his gloved hand protruding from the snow.

The lawsuit against the ski area claims that its operators should have known that the area was unsafe and restricted skiers from accessing it, or at the very least warned them of the avalanche danger.

When a person is killed in a ski area, it can be difficult to determine who is at fault. Our condolences go out to this man’s family.