Heavenly ski patroller dies on Mt. Rainier

Dmitri Pajitnov

Dmitri Pajitnov moved to South Lake Tahoe from Seattle in the fall of 2011 to begin pursuing passions for the mountains and medicine. 

He became a ski patroller for Heavenly Mountain Resort as well as an emergency room technician for Barton Memorial Hospital. 

Dmitri’s enthusiasm for everything outdoors and utmost respect for anyone who he met was an inspiring tribute to the type of person he was. 

In the spring of 2016, Dmitri was accepted into medical school. After completing his first year of studies, he returned to Tahoe to get as much skiing in as possible. On his way back to school this month he stopped by one of his favorite mountains, Mt. Rainier, to get one last ski day in. Tragically, July 3, 2017, would be the last day he ever skied. He fell through a 5-foot snowbridge into an icy creek.

He was 30.

Everyone who had the pleasure of meeting Dmitri knows the impact that he had on everyone around him. He will be forever missed in the community. 

A celebration for Dmitri Pajitnov will be July 18 at 5pm at Lakeside Beach House Grill.