The Grenoble University Hospital Center says the retired racing driver arrived at the clinic in a coma Sunday and underwent immediate surgery for a serious head trauma.
It's not clear whether the 44-year-old Schumacher is still in a coma but the hospital statement, which was signed by a neurosurgeon, an anesthesiologist and the hospital's deputy director, says "he remains in a critical condition."
Schumacher's manager says the champion German driver was on a private skiing trip and "fell on his head."
According to a statement from the Meribel resort, Schumacher fell while skiing off the regular track earlier Sunday. Resort managers say he had been wearing a helmet and was conscious when rescuers first responded to the scene.
The resort says Schumacher's 14-year-old son was skiing with his father when the accident happened.
As news of the accident spreads, Formula One drivers are using social media to wish Schumacher a quick recovery.