A 4-year-old girl was flown to the hospital in serious condition after falling from a ski chairlift Saturday at Alta Ski Area.

The girl was riding the Sunnyside chairlift about 4:30 p.m. when she apparently fell 30 to 40 feet, said Unified Fire Authority Capt. Clint Smith.

A passenger on a nearby chair noticed the girl face down in the snow and called 911, Smith said.

When the ski patrol arrived, the girl was still face down and not breathing, Smith said. CPR was used to revive her.

The girl went in and out of consciousness at least twice before she was flown to Primary Children's Medical Center in Salt Lake City, Smith said.

The girl was considered to be in serious condition until doctors could determine if she suffered any serious head, neck or internal injuries.

Smith said the girl landed in powder snow instead of on a packed ski run, which may have helped break her fall. She was also riding on the chair with a woman, but the relationship between the two was unknown, Smith said.

Jason Bergreen