The 72-year-old Massachusetts man was conscious, and died in a local hospital of chest injuries, family reported. He was an experienced skier, and was wearing a helmet. National Ski Areas Association reports that 22 skiers and riders were killed in accidents last season, out of 55.1 million skier/rider visits. That's one person for every 2.5 million visits. An average of 37.1 people have died each year on the slopes during the last 10 years. Another 43.7 have suffered serious injuries. NSAA's National Safety Awareness Week is coming up Jan. 19-25. It's appropriate to think about safe visits to the slopes – things like skiing in control, knowing the Responsibility Code, anticipating tough conditions when a long thaw turns into a hard freeze.