Former Dartmouth Ski Captain Ellery Curtis Dies in Tahoe Skiing Accident

Curtis, a 26-year-old All-American athlete and environmental advocate, suffered a fatal head injury at Palisades Tahoe, marking the third winter sports fatality in the Lake Tahoe region in two weeks.

Ellery 'Ellie' Curtis, a former NCAA All-American skier and Dartmouth ski team captain, died from a head injury sustained at Palisades Tahoe on Saturday, April 8, 2025.
The fatal accident occurred on the challenging Ahhh Chute trail, accessed via the KT-22 lift, with ski patrol providing immediate but unsuccessful medical aid.
Curtis's death is part of a troubling pattern, with two other fatalities reported at nearby resorts in the past two weeks, raising safety concerns in the Lake Tahoe area.
A Vermont native and San Francisco resident, Curtis was also a passionate environmental advocate, working as a regulatory analyst for the California Public Utilities Commission.
Her legacy includes significant athletic achievements, such as an NCAA giant slalom top-eight finish, and her dedication to climate change and energy policy reform.