RENO, Nev. (AP) — A fatal avalanche struck a California ski resort near Lake Tahoe on Wednesday, claiming the life of one individual and injuring another. The incident occurred as a powerful storm, accompanied by snowfall and high winds, swept into the region. The avalanche prompted Palisades Tahoe to close its trails just 30 minutes after opening, while search and rescue teams combed the area for any additional victims.
According to Sgt. David Smith of the Placer County sheriff’s office, one person, identified as male, tragically lost their life, while another sustained non-life-threatening injuries. The injured individual suffered a lower leg injury, as reported by Olympic Valley Fire Chief Brad Chisholm. Fortunately, no other individuals were found to be missing.
The avalanche occurred at around 9:30 a.m. on the expert-level GS Gully area under the KT-22 lift at Palisades Tahoe. This section of the resort is known for its challenging “black diamond” runs, catering to experienced skiers and snowboarders. In response to the incident, Palisades Tahoe announced on social media that both sides of the mountain would remain closed for the remainder of the day.
Those affected by the avalanche were guests at the resort and were visiting from out of town. Two other individuals were caught in the slide but were safely extracted from the snow without sustaining injuries. The debris field left by the avalanche measured approximately 150 feet wide, 450 feet long, and 10 feet deep, according to the sheriff’s office.
Dee Byrne, president of Palisades Tahoe, expressed deep sadness over the incident, emphasizing the impact on the entire resort community. As investigations into the cause of the avalanche continue, Michael Gross, vice president of mountain operations, stated that ski patrols had been diligently monitoring the avalanche conditions since Sunday, conducting control work and assessing weather conditions to ensure the safety of the slopes.
The deadly avalanche occurred amidst forecasts predicting up to 2 feet of snow in the highest elevations by early Thursday. Palisades Tahoe, formerly the site of the 1960 Winter Olympics, is located on the western side of Lake Tahoe, around 40 miles from Reno, Nevada. The National Weather Service in Reno warned of heavy snowfall around the lake, with a potential accumulation rate of 2 inches per hour. At Alpine Meadows, an adjacent resort, a gust of 110 mph was recorded on Tuesday, adding to the hazardous weather conditions.
Dan Lavely, a season pass holder at Palisades and a Reno resident, shared his experience with the ski resort. He recalled that earlier in the week, the lift wasn’t operational due to a lack of snow. He described the location of the avalanche as a steep run alongside the lift, which was also the site of the giant slalom event during the 1960 Olympics. Lavely noted the challenging nature of the slope, recounting a personal incident where he slid uncontrollably down a significant portion of the mountain.
This tragedy brings to mind a previous avalanche at Alpine Meadows in 2020, which resulted in one fatality and one severe injury. Furthermore, in March 1982, another avalanche occurred at the same resort, claiming the lives of seven individuals, including several employees.
In light of this devastating incident, Palisades Tahoe will continue to work closely with authorities to investigate the cause of the avalanche. The thoughts and condolences of the resort’s community go out to the victims and their families during this difficult time.
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Dazio reported from Los Angeles. Associated Press writer Christopher Weber in Los Angeles contributed to this report.