Ellery "Ellie" Curtis, a celebrated female skiing champion, died at 26 after a tragic accident on the slopes over the weekend. The former NCAA All-American skier from San Francisco suffered a fatal head injury at Palisades Tahoe resort in Olympic Valley, California, authorities confirmed.
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The Placer County Sheriff's Department received a distressed call at 3:45 p.m. Saturday, the Los Angeles Times reported. Deputies arrived at the resort, but Curtis had already passed away. Matt Lorelli, senior editor at Powder, a skiing and resort website, said Curtis sustained the injury while descending Ahhh Chute, a challenging trail on the renowned KT-22 lift.
Curtis earned a reputation as a "fearless" skier during her standout career. She captained the Dartmouth College women's alpine ski team and secured second-team All-American honors in the giant slalom. In March 2022, she placed eighth at the NCAA championships. Her coach, John Dwyer, praised her relentless drive. "She was either going to win, hit the podium, or crash trying," he told the Boston Globe. "That's what made her special -- she never held back."
A Life Beyond the Slopes
Curtis graduated from Dartmouth in 2022 with a degree in government and environmental policy. She interned with the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, focusing on energy policy analysis. After moving to San Francisco, she worked as a regulatory analyst for the California Public Utilities Commission. "She wanted to save the planet," Dwyer said. "Her passion promised a tremendous future."
Her adventurous spirit extended beyond skiing. Curtis joined Mikes Bikes, a competitive mountain biking team in California. The team mourned her loss on Instagram, highlighting her dedication. "There was never a rest day for her," the post read. "Ellie would skip a shuttle or chairlift, saying 'it's cheating if I don't earn it,' then outpace us all down the mountain."
Resort Responds to Accident
Patrick Lacey, a Palisades Tahoe resort spokesperson, addressed the accident. "Our ski patrol team responded immediately and provided on-site medical care, but the individual succumbed to their injuries," he told the Boston Globe. "Our thoughts go out to their loved ones during this difficult time." Curtis' death marks the fourth at the resort and the fifth in the Sierra Nevada region this year.
Friends and teammates remembered Curtis as a vibrant force. "She was an amazing person, on and off the snow," Dwyer said. Mikes Bikes echoed that sentiment, envisioning her "still rippin' on her bike or skis with a big ole smile, making positive changes in the world."
