by South Lake Tahoe, California — An 8-year-old boy was airlifted to a hospital after falling approximately 30 feet from a chairlift at a Northern California ski resort, according to local emergency officials.
The incident happened Sunday afternoon at Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort, located about 16 miles from South Lake Tahoe. Authorities say multiple emergency crews responded after the child fell from the Grandview chairlift near the top of the mountain.
Officials confirmed the fall occurred around 1:20 p.m. on March 8, prompting an immediate emergency response.
Ski patrol rushed to assist the injured child
According to the Lake Valley Fire Protection District, ski patrol teams were the first to respond to the accident.
Ski patrol quickly reached the scene, provided first aid, and transported the injured child to a designated landing zone for medical evacuation.
Emergency responders determined that air transport was necessary due to the child’s age and the significant height of the fall.
Paramedics from Medic 7 and Battalion 7 joined the response effort alongside flight nurses from CALSTAR 6, an air medical service operating in the region.
Child transported to trauma center
After assessing the situation, emergency crews decided to transport the boy by helicopter to a hospital for further evaluation.
Medical personnel determined that the child should be taken to Renown Regional Medical Center, a major trauma hospital in Reno, Nevada.
Officials said the decision was based largely on the mechanism of injury and the distance of the fall, which raised concerns about potential serious trauma.
Authorities have not publicly released the child’s identity.
Officials also said the boy’s current medical condition has not been disclosed.
Fall occurred near the top of the lift
A spokesperson for the Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort confirmed the fall occurred near the top terminal of the Grandview chairlift.
Chairlifts typically transport skiers and snowboarders across steep terrain, often at significant heights above the ground.
Investigators have not yet released details explaining how the boy fell from the chairlift.
Officials have also not said whether the safety bar was engaged at the time of the incident.
Ski resort safety under renewed attention
The incident comes amid ongoing attention to chairlift safety at ski resorts.
Earlier this year, another incident at a California ski area involved a 12-year-old snowboarder who fell from a chairlift at Mammoth Mountain Ski Area.
Video of that event showed the girl hanging from the lift before eventually falling onto the snow below.
Resort workers and bystanders attempted to position padding and a safety net beneath her before she fell.
The girl’s mother later said her daughter slipped after she was unable to fully secure the lift’s safety bar.
Fortunately, that child did not suffer serious injuries and was later reported to have no broken bones.
Read Also: Why Filling Up in California Costs So Much More Than the Rest of the U.S.
Chairlift accidents remain rare
While chairlifts operate thousands of rides daily during ski season, serious accidents are considered relatively uncommon.
Ski resorts typically rely on safety bars, lift attendants, and skier awareness to reduce risks during chairlift rides.
However, experts often advise riders — especially children — to keep the safety bar lowered and remain seated throughout the ride.
Officials have not indicated whether an investigation into the Sierra-at-Tahoe incident is ongoing.
Emergency responders say they remain focused on ensuring the injured child receives the care he needs.
Do you think ski resorts should introduce additional safety measures for chairlifts, especially for young riders? Share your thoughts respectfully in the comments below.
