Skiing is supposed to be the ultimate winter escape. You’ve got the crisp New Hampshire air, the crunch of fresh powder under your boots, and that specific kind of quiet you only find in the White Mountains. For the Murray family, December 31, 2024, started exactly like that. It was New Year’s Eve. A holiday break. They were at Cranmore Mountain Resort in North Conway, a place they knew well.
Then, everything changed in a heartbeat.
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The Jack Murray ski accident isn't just a headline or a statistic from the 2024-25 ski season. It’s a story about a 12-year-old boy from Weymouth, Massachusetts, who was, by all accounts, a "bright light" in his community. He wasn't some reckless "hot dogger" looking for a thrill. He was a capable skier. He had seven years of experience on the slopes.
But as any veteran skier will tell you, the mountain doesn't always care about your resume.
The Morning at Cranmore Mountain
It happened around 10:45 a.m. Jack was skiing with his dad, Paul, his cousin, and his uncle. They were on their very first run of the day.
They were on the Bandit Trail, which is an intermediate "blue" run. For a kid who had been skiing since he was five, this trail was well within his skill level. Paul Murray later told reporters that Jack wasn't a huge risk-taker. He was just a kid enjoying the holiday.
At one point, the group got a bit separated. It was one of those mundane moments. Paul was fixing his own boot. His niece had a minor tumble on her snowboard, and the brother-in-law stopped to help her out. Jack, being a confident skier, continued ahead.
He was just out of sight for a moment. Honestly, that’s all it takes.
When the rest of the group caught up, they found Jack off the trail. He had collided with a tree. Nobody actually saw the impact. Based on where he was found, he hadn't veered far off the path at all. It appeared he just lost a tiny bit of control—a "one-in-a-million" fluke—and slid.
Emergency Response and the "First Run" Tragedy
The response was immediate. The Conway Police Department and Cranmore Ski Patrol were on the scene quickly. They started CPR right there on the Bandit Trail. Jack was wearing all the right gear, including a helmet. Everything was in its place.
He was rushed to MaineHealth Memorial Hospital in North Conway, but the injuries were too severe. He was pronounced dead later that day.
It’s the kind of news that stops a town like Weymouth in its tracks. Jack was a seventh grader at Maria Weston Chapman Middle School. He played the trombone. He played the drums. He was the kid who said "good morning" to everyone on the school bus.
More Than Just a Student: Jack’s Legacy
People use the word "entrepreneur" a lot these days, but Jack actually lived it. At 12, he had already:
- Set up an eBay store for thrift store finds.
- Created his own clothing brand with a Shopify store.
- Sold caricatures to neighbors with his friends.
- Acted as an assistant coach for his younger brother Finley’s soccer team.
He was a "magical" kid, as his family put it. When you look at the outpouring of support following the accident, it’s clear he wasn't just another student; he was a pillar of his peer group.
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The Community’s Response
Grief is a heavy thing, but the Murrays did something pretty incredible with theirs. They started a GoFundMe. The goal wasn't just to cover costs; it was to fund the school band program that Jack loved so much.
The response was massive. Within a month, people had donated over $100,000.
That money is now being used to provide instruments and opportunities for other kids in Weymouth. It’s a way to keep Jack’s rhythm going, even if he isn't there to play the drums himself. His dad mentioned how nervous Jack had been for his first big drum performance right before the break. He nailed it, though. That’s the memory they’re holding onto.
What We Can Learn About Ski Safety
The Jack Murray ski accident brings up a lot of questions about safety, especially for parents. You can do everything right. You can buy the best helmet. You can stick to trails you’ve mastered. You can ski with family.
Sometimes, the variables just don't line up.
New Hampshire officials noted this was the first fatal accident of that season. It’s a reminder that "intermediate" doesn't mean "no risk." Trees are the most common factor in fatal ski accidents. When you're moving at even a moderate speed, the margin for error is razor-thin.
Practical Safety Insights for Families
If you're heading to the mountains this season, here are a few things to keep in mind, inspired by the reality of this tragedy:
- The "Buddy System" Is Not Foolproof: Even when skiing in a group, it’s easy to lose sight of someone for thirty seconds. On a trail like Bandit, that's long enough for an accident to happen. Establish "re-group" points every few hundred yards.
- Helmet Limitations: Helmets are essential. They save lives every day. However, they aren't indestructible shields. In high-impact collisions with fixed objects like trees, the physical forces involved are immense.
- The "First Run" Rule: Many accidents happen on the first run of the day when muscles are cold and you're still "finding your edges." Take it slower than usual for the first twenty minutes.
- Visibility and Conditions: While conditions were reported as fine during Jack's accident, "flat light" can hide small dips or icy patches that cause a skier to lose an edge.
Moving Forward
Life in Weymouth is slowly returning to a new kind of normal. Finley is back in school. Paul and Crystal are back at work. But there’s a hole in the community where Jack used to be.
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His family’s message is pretty simple: live like Jack did. Be the person who holds someone’s hand. Be the person who starts a business because you have a cool idea. Be the "bright light."
If you want to honor Jack’s memory, the best thing you can do is support local school arts programs. Whether it’s donating an old instrument or attending a middle school concert, those programs are where kids like Jack find their voice.
Stay safe on the slopes. Check your gear. And maybe, next time you're on a lift, take a second to appreciate the view. Jack certainly would have.
Actionable Steps for Skiers:
Check the fit and age of your helmet; most manufacturers recommend replacing them every five years or after any significant impact. Before your first run, perform a dynamic warm-up to ensure your reaction times are sharp. If you are skiing with children, ensure they understand that "staying together" means staying within a visible distance, not just being on the same trail. Consider supporting the Jack Murray Memorial Fund or your local school's music department to keep the arts accessible for the next generation of students.