Two Killed in Separate Incidents at Heavenly Resort

Incidents mark the fourth and fifth fatalities at Vail Resorts in Lake Tahoe since February 6th.

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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Two people died in separate incidents at Heavenly Mountain Resort in Lake Tahoe on Friday, according to the Douglas County Sheriff's Office. The two fatalities, which occurred at Boulder Lodge on the Nevada side of the resort around noon, are unrelated and there is no apparent connection between the individuals.

Why it matters

The incidents at Heavenly Resort are the latest in a string of deaths at Vail Resorts properties in the Lake Tahoe area, raising concerns about safety and oversight at the popular ski destinations.

The details

In the first incident, a 33-year-old man was involved in a skiing accident on the intermediate Orion trail. In the second incident, a 58-year-old man suffered a serious medical event on the Tamarack Return trail. Both men were declared dead at the scene.

  • The incidents occurred around noon on Friday, February 21, 2026 at Heavenly Mountain Resort.

The players

Heavenly Mountain Resort

A ski resort located on the California-Nevada border near Lake Tahoe, owned and operated by Vail Resorts.

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The takeaway

The recent spate of fatalities at Vail Resorts properties in the Lake Tahoe area has raised concerns about safety and oversight at these popular ski destinations, underscoring the need for thorough investigations and potential policy changes to protect skiers and snowboarders.