A beloved young skier has died in a tragic hot tub drowning, with his family emphasizing that drugs and alcohol played no role in the accident.
Holden Parazette, a 26-year-old from Jackson Hole, Wyoming, passed away unexpectedly on July 9.
His parents told local media that their son’s death was the result of an accidental drowning, while officials at the coroner’s office said the case remained under investigation.
Our News Outlet understands that Parazette died in Huntington Beach, California.
Andy and Danielle Parazette, who operate a taqueria in Jackson, Wyoming, said their son was sober at the time of his death. They remembered Holden as gentle, generous and deeply committed in everything he did.
Danielle told the Jackson Hole News & Guide: “Holden was a deep thinker, all the things that he did and experienced, he was definitely comfortable with himself. He was not your typical teenager.”
The skiing community has since shared an outpouring of tributes, with former teams describing Parazette as “sweet, thoughtful, loving and generous.”
Parazette’s life on the mountain began early. He joined the Jackson Hole Ski and Snowboard Club when he was just six years old, and his parents said he quickly found his place in ski racing.
He then rose through the ranks and won a slalom championship race at the Junior Nationals the year after he graduated high school.
Holden Parazette, 26, drowned in a ‘tragic accident’ in a hot tub, according to his parents
The coroner’s office said that the avid skier’s death in California is still under investigation
After the win, he told the outlet: ‘At the end of the day, it’s about having fun and doing what you like. And it seems pretty cliche, but for me, it’s just that I’m skiing.’
In February 2024 he graduated from college with a degree in physics after attending Middlebury College in Vermont.
He then went on to the University of Utah where he studied for a master’s in mechanical engineering and was also an assistant coach for the school’s ski team.
In a post to their social media, the University of Utah’s Ski Team said: ‘Once a Ute, always a Ute.
‘We had the privilege of having Holden join our program for the 24/25 season as a team manager while pursuing a post graduate degree.
‘With an unforgettable laugh, Holden kept all things light; constantly reminding us that it’s never that serious – and if there were powder turns to be had, Holden was going to take them.
‘Our love goes out to the Parazette Family who has been a rock for our team and a home away from home for our athletes for years, as well as Middlebury Alpine Ski Team and the whole EISA circuit.
Tributes have been paid by teams that he skied for who described him as ‘sweet, thoughtful, loving and generous’
As he grew up, he rose through the ranks and won a slalom championship race at the Junior Nationals the year after he graduated high school
‘Keep laughing and keep smiling, just the way Holden would want it.’
Middlebury Alpine Ski Team added: ‘This past month has been a hard one, coming to terms with the news of Holden’s passing.
‘Holden was a beloved member of our team – the kind of guy who checked every box. But more than that, he was sweet, thoughtful, loving, generous, and a little wild.’
