Sheriff's Office Identifies Two Skiers Who Died In Separate Incidents at Heavenly Resort

Two separate skiers were involved in fatal accidents at Heavenly Ski Resort in Lake Tahoe, California, last Friday, February 20, 2026.

Both incidents were reported just before noon at Heavenly’s Boulder Lodge. Authorities say life-saving measures were attempted for both victims; however, the attempts were unsuccessful, and both were pronounced dead on the scene.

As of Monday, February 23, 2026, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Department has identified both victims. A statement released by the Sheriff’s Department names Nicholas Jamil Haddad, 33, of West Bloomfield, Michigan, and Brian Robert Frias, 57, of Elk Grove, California, as the deceased.

There is no connection between Haddad and Frias, and the incidents were unrelated.

The cause and manner of death for both victims remains under investigation by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Department. See below for their full statement.

The incidents at Heavenly come on the heels of a deadly week for skiers in the Lake Tahoe area and beyond.

Last week, nine skiers were killed in an avalanche near Castle Peak, California. Northstar California Resort also reported three skier deaths in the month of February.

Our thoughts and condolences are with the friends and family and all those affected by the tragedies at Heavenly and beyond.

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