OLYMPIC VALLEY, California – A snowboarder survived being buried under an avalanche that struck Palisades Tahoe ski resort on Wednesday, resulting in the death of one man. Jason Parker, an experienced skier and snowboarder from Reno, had been enjoying a day off with his fiancée when they decided to take advantage of the newly opened KT-22 chairlift. Despite the challenging weather conditions, they made their way up the mountain for their second run.
As Parker made his descent, he encountered a slough, which he initially dismissed as harmless. However, within seconds, the avalanche hit him, sweeping him off his feet and burying him in snow. Trapped underneath the snow, Parker quickly realized the seriousness of the situation. He managed to create an air hole to breathe and called out for help, anxiously waiting to be found.
After being buried for several minutes, Parker felt a probe hit his back and heard rescuers exclaim they had found him. Ski patrol, along with over 100 Palisades Tahoe personnel and members of the public, had been combing the area for anyone trapped in the avalanche.
Remarkably, Parker escaped the incident with only a slightly injured knee and was able to snowboard down to base camp himself. Reflecting on his ordeal, he expressed gratitude for being found and said he felt a sense of calmness during his time trapped beneath the snow. Parker was aware of the tragic loss of another individual in the avalanche and expressed sympathy for the deceased and the broader skiing community affected by the incident.
Parker commended the Palisades Tahoe ski patrol for their thorough evaluation before opening the KT-22 chairlift. He acknowledged both his training and the efforts of those involved in his rescue for his survival. Looking ahead, despite the harrowing experience, he stated his intention to return to the KT-22 trail once his knee has healed, determined not to let the incident deter him from his love for skiing and snowboarding.
In conclusion, Jason Parker, an avid skier and snowboarder, miraculously survived being buried by an avalanche at Palisades Tahoe ski resort. Rescue efforts led by ski patrol and resort personnel successfully located and freed Parker, who emerged with only a minor knee injury. While expressing sympathy for the individual who lost their life in the incident, Parker credited his training and the teams involved in his rescue for his miraculous survival. He intends to return to the slopes in the future, undeterred by the terrifying ordeal he endured.