One killed and two rescued as avalanche hits Tahoe ski resort
The resort closed both sides of the mountain after the avalanche struck
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.An avalanche occurred at a ski resort in Tahoe, California, killing one person and injuring another, according to authorities.
One man was reported dead and another person sustained minor non-life-threatening injuries after the avalanche took place at the Palisades Tahoe Ski Resort around 9.30am on Wednesday, 10 January, Placer County Sheriff’s Office Sgt David Smith said at a press conference Wednesday evening. Both were guests at the resort.
No others were reported missing and all search efforts have concluded. There is “nobody else up on the mountain as a result of the avalanche,” the sergeant said.
Dee Byrne, the president of Palisades Tahoe ski resort, said it was a “very sad day for my team and everyone here.” She added that an investigation is ongoing.
Michael Gross, Vice President of mountain operations, noted that the KT-22 lift opened on Wednesday for the first time this season at 9am — just 30 minutes before the avalanche struck. He explained that the avalanche control assessment since Sunday.
Mr Gross said that two other people were “caught in the slide.” He said “one was extracted by her partner, other was assisted by other guests,” and they did not suffer any injuries.
It occurred on the Palisades side “specifically above the GS gully area of KT-22,” the resort tweeted.
The Placer County Sheriff’s Office wrote, “Our thoughts and prayers are with their family members at this difficult time. No further missing persons have been reported.”
The avalanche prompted the resort to close both sides of the mountain and sparked the deployment of its patrol and mountain operations team to conduct a search.
The office said the avalanche debris field is roughly 150 ft wide, 450 ft long and 10 ft deep.
Earlier, the office wrote on Facebook that deputies are “responding to an avalanche at Palisades Tahoe Ski Resort in Olympic Valley. We will have more information when it’s available.”
“They don’t believe at this point in time that anybody’s trapped,” Sgt Smith told The Associated Press but added it’s a “fluid situation” on the mountain.
A 2020 avalanche at Alpine Meadows killed one skier and seriously injured another a day after a major storm, reported the AP.
Another avalanche at Alpine Meadows in March 1982 killed seven people, including several employees of the ski resort.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments