Alpine Ontario says it's too early to make a prognosis for Richard Long, a Collingwood teen injured in a skiing accident in Colorado Monday.

Family, teammates and friends are sending messages of hope to the family through Alpine Ontario's website.

Long, 15, a member of the Ontario provincial team, won both the Canadian and Ontario K2 Juvenile ski championships last spring. He and his family are members of the Georgian Peaks Club.

Reports from Colorado authorities said he was hurt during a training run about 8:25 a.m., Monday.

Richard was skiing at high speed, on the Lower Ramrod run at Arapahoe Basin ski area, when he lost his balance. As he tried to stop, his skis reportedly dug in and he crashed against a tree.

His grandmother, Verna Sokolowski, of Barrie, said the latest word from the hospital in Denver is that Richard is still unconscious. He suffered severe head trauma, and chest and shoulder injuries.

She said he was wearing a helmet but it split open as a result of the collision.

Doctors at the trauma centre at St. Anthony Central Hospital have him under sedation and are waiting for his temperature to stabilize before proceeding with further treatment.

"It's too early for a prognosis, but our hopes are for a full recovery," Alpine Ontario's update said.

His parents, Brammer and Lisa, and his brother Braden are with him.

Anyone wishing to extend best wishes can do so through a link at www.alpineontario.com. The site will provide regular updates on Richard's situation.

"We know he's getting the best of care," his grandmother said. "The doctors have said that they're hopeful because he's young and strong. All we can do is wait."

Alpine Ontario says it is providing counselling and assistance to the Long family and the other members of the Ontario team. A safety and protocol team will review the accident.