A seven-year-old girl tragically died after she was struck by a boulder at a popular Lake Tahoe ski resort.
Adelyn Grimes of Reno, Nevada, was pronounced dead at Diamond Peak Ski Resort in Incline Village, located on the north shore of Lake Tahoe, on Saturday at around 3:40 pm.
Personnel from the Diamond Peak Ski Patrol, North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District and the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) rushed to the scene, but were ultimately unable to save the young skier.
Her cause of death was blunt force injuries to her neck and chest, according to the Washoe County Regional Medical Examiner’s Office.
An investigation was carried out by the WCSO and Adelyn’s death was determined to be a non-skiing accident.
‘There was no foul play involved and the Sheriff’s Office extends our deepest condolences to all involved,’ a spokesperson from the WCSO told DailyMail.com.
The child was at the resort with her parents, Ivy and Matt, to cheer on her brother, Owen, who was competing in an under-12 skiing championship at Diamond Peak.
‘The entire Diamond Peak Ski Resort family has been deeply affected by a tragedy that occurred Saturday, March 29, 2025, at the resort,’ Diamond Peak, located about an hour from Reno, wrote in a statement.
Adelyn Grimes, 7, of Reno, Nevada, was pronounced dead at Diamond Peak Ski Resort on Saturday at around 3:40 pm
Adelyn, pictured with her brother Owen, was a member of the Sugar Bowl ski team. Her death was not ski related
‘We would like to extend our heartfelt condolences to the family of the child involved, to the members of the Sugar Bowl race team, and to the entire Lake Tahoe ski racing community, all of whom have been profoundly saddened by the accident.’
The resort and the Incline Village General Improvement District are offering counseling and support services to the staff members shaken by the fatal incident.
Adelyn’s family, who called her ‘Addie’, has been grieving the untimely death of the beloved little girl.
‘Addie was a shining star who brought immense joy and laughter to those who knew her,’ her aunt, Sabina Gimes, wrote in a Meal Train post asking for food donations to Adelyn’s parents and brother.
Sabina has also organized a GoFundMe page for funeral arrangements, which has already raised nearly $18,900 from 125 contributions.
‘The unexpected death of a child is an unimaginable loss that no one could prepare for,’ she wrote.
‘Please consider donating as they lay their daughter to rest and take the time grieve and be with their son, Owen.’
In a statement shared with DailyMail.com, Matt and Ivy wrote: ‘Addie has left this world too soon.
‘Addie was with us on Saturday rooting on her brother at his U12 Farwest Championship ski race when an incomprehensible tragedy struck and took her life too early.
‘Addie was the light of our life, so smart and funny, fearless and loving. She loved her family and friends. She loved sugar, skiing, soccer and cuddling for a movie.
Diamond Peak Ski Resort is located on the north shore of Lake Tahoe, about an hour away from Reno
‘Addie lit up every room she walked into and kept you laughing all the time. She was loved by many and we miss her so so much.’
Adelyn’s shocking death comes just weeks after three friends were killed by an avalanche while heli-skiing in Alaska.
Heli-skiers use helicopters to reach mountains in remote backcountry areas where there are no ski lifts. They then ski or snowboard down.
David Linder, 39, of Florida; Charles Eppard, 39, of Montana; and Jeremy Leif, 38, of Minnesota have been identified as the three skiers presumed to be dead after an avalanche struck near Twentymile River near Girdwood on March 4.
The snow pile triggered by the natural disaster was up to 100 feet deep, troopers said.
The skiers were likely buried at depths greater than 30 feet, Tracey Knutson, who operates the Chugach Powder Guides trip they were on, told the Associated Press.
The avalanche appeared to begin at about 3,500 feet and came to rest around 700 feet, Knutson said.