The collegiate sports community is mourning the loss of a standout athlete after a tragic accident at a Lake Tahoe ski resort claimed the life of All-American Dartmouth College skier Ethan Parker over the weekend.
According to local authorities, Parker, a 22-year-old senior and a key member of Dartmouth’s ski team, suffered fatal injuries during a recreational run at Heavenly Mountain Resort on Saturday afternoon. Resort officials stated that the skier lost control on a steep slope and collided with a tree. Despite immediate efforts by ski patrol and emergency responders, Parker was pronounced dead at the scene.
Parker was widely regarded as one of the nation’s top collegiate skiers, earning multiple All-American honors during his career and playing a vital role in Dartmouth’s recent NCAA championship pursuits. Friends, teammates, and coaches describe Parker as a fierce competitor with a vibrant spirit both on and off the slopes.
“This is an immeasurable loss,” Dartmouth’s Athletic Director Mike Harrington said in a statement. “Our hearts are broken for Ethan’s family, teammates, and the entire Dartmouth community. Ethan embodied the best of what it means to be a scholar-athlete.”
The resort and the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Department have launched an investigation into the accident but have indicated that foul play is not suspected. Weather conditions at the time were clear, but recent thawing and spring skiing conditions may have contributed to the difficulty of the terrain.
Plans for a memorial service are underway, and Dartmouth officials have confirmed that counseling resources will be available for students affected by the tragedy.
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