Man Arrested for Assaulting Ski Coach in Steamboat Springs
A man has been arrested following an alleged assault on a Steamboat Springs Winter Club ski coach earlier this month. The incident, which occurred on January 4, involved a confrontation on the slopes between the coach and a skier.
According to the Steamboat Springs Police Department, the altercation began when the skier, identified as 21-year-old Kaiden Bodga, became upset with the coach for standing near a terrain feature while coaching a group of young athletes. The skier reportedly followed the coach down the slope, where he grabbed him and punched him in the head multiple times.
The attack, described by witnesses as violent, was captured in part by a student who recorded the incident. The coach also managed to take a photo of Bodga during the altercation. Police reported that the coach sustained potentially serious injuries as a result of the assault.
Law enforcement used social media and tips from the community to identify the suspect. After a week-long search, police located Bodga at an O’Reilly Auto Parts store on Central Park Drive and arrested him on the evening of January 15.
Bodga, a resident of Steamboat Springs, is now facing multiple charges, including second-degree assault, reckless endangerment, and failure to remain at the scene of a skier-versus-skier crash. Authorities are continuing their investigation into the incident.
This case has raised concerns about slope safety and the behavior of skiers in shared spaces. The Steamboat Springs Winter Club has expressed gratitude for the swift action of local law enforcement and the community in identifying and apprehending the suspect.
Police are urging anyone with additional information about the incident to come forward as they work to ensure the safety of all individuals on the slopes. Bodga’s legal proceedings are expected to begin soon, as the charges against him carry significant legal consequences.
