OLYMPIC VALLEY, Calif. – One person has died and another has been injured in an avalanche at Palisades Tahoe, a ski resort located in Olympic Valley, California. The tragic incident occurred on Wednesday morning, prompting the resort to close both sides of the mountain for the remainder of the day.
According to the Placer County Sheriff’s Office, the avalanche claimed one life and left another person injured. Fortunately, no other individuals have been reported missing in connection with the incident. The avalanche took place on the Palisades side of the resort mountain, specifically above the GS bowl area of KT-22.
Authorities had warned of a potential avalanche risk due to a strong winter storm in the area, as indicated by the Sierra Avalanche Center. Live Storms Media footage showed numerous fire trucks and police vehicles at the snowy resort, with medical personnel attending to patients inside the resort’s medical building.
Described as a “major” avalanche with numerous entrapments and injuries, the incident prompted an all-hands-on-deck response from the Olympic Valley Firefighters. At least one patient was receiving CPR, while another was being treated for a broken leg.
In response to reports of the avalanche, the Olympic Valley Fire Department called for assistance from various agencies, including the Placer County Sheriff’s Office and Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue. The Sheriff’s Office is currently conducting an investigation into the incident.
Palisades Tahoe is located on the western side of Lake Tahoe, less than 50 miles away from Reno, Nevada.
In summary, a fatal avalanche struck the Palisades Tahoe ski resort in Olympic Valley, California, resulting in one fatality and one injury. The resort closed its slopes for the remainder of the day as authorities responded to the emergency. An investigation into the incident is underway by the Placer County Sheriff’s Office.