Tragedy struck at Palisades Tahoe, a popular ski resort in Olympic Valley, California, as one person lost their life and another was injured in an avalanche on Wednesday morning. The Placer County Sheriff's Office provided an update about four hours after the incident, confirming the fatality and injury caused by the snow slide. Fortunately, no other individuals have been reported missing. In response to the avalanche, the resort made the decision to close both sides of the mountain for the remainder of the day.

The avalanche occurred around 9:30 a.m. local time on the Palisades side of the resort mountain, specifically above the GS bowl area of KT-22, according to the Sheriff's Office. The Sierra Avalanche Center had warned of the potential for avalanches due to a strong winter storm in the area. Live Storms Media captured video footage showing numerous fire trucks and police vehicles at the snowy resort. Medical personnel were seen working on patients inside the resort's medical building. The outlet described the avalanche as "major," resulting in "numerous entrapments and injuries."

Olympic Valley Firefighters provided further details, stating that at least one patient was receiving CPR while another was being treated for a broken leg. The situation prompted an all-hands-on-deck response from the firefighters. The Placer County Sheriff's Office reported that the Olympic Valley Fire Department initially responded to reports of the avalanche and subsequently called for assistance from other agencies, including the Sheriff's Office and Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue.

The search and rescue mission was underway, with the Sheriff's Office leading the investigation into the coroner's case. The Palisades Tahoe resort, situated on the western side of Lake Tahoe and approximately 40 miles from Reno, has been a popular destination for winter sports enthusiasts. However, on this tragic day, it became the site of a devastating avalanche that claimed one life and left another person injured.

As news of the avalanche spread, authorities and emergency response teams rushed to the scene. The Placer County Sheriff's Office confirmed that the avalanche occurred at Palisades Tahoe, a renowned ski resort in the Lake Tahoe area. The incident took place at around 9:30 a.m., prompting an immediate search and rescue effort by multiple teams. Thankfully, no other individuals have been reported missing thus far.

The sheriff's office provided updates, stating that over 100 personnel from Palisades Tahoe participated in a beacon search, with two probe lines already completed. The mountain was subsequently closed for the rest of the day. Authorities described the debris field of the avalanche as approximately 150 feet wide, 450 feet long, and 10 feet deep. Cal Fire, along with other agencies, responded to reports of multiple people trapped in the avalanche.

Social media footage captured the harrowing moments as skiers banded together to dig out a person buried in the snow. The individual appeared to be relatively unharmed, offering a glimmer of hope amidst the tragedy. However, the situation remained precarious due to the ongoing winter storm warning in the area, with an expected snow accumulation of 28-30 inches at the resort. The Sierra Avalanche Center issued a warning that the avalanche danger would increase throughout the day.

Governor Gavin Newsom expressed his concern and pledged support, stating that the state was monitoring the situation and prepared to assist with the avalanche at Palisades Tahoe. The investigation into the incident was ongoing, and authorities were focused on the search and rescue efforts. The resort, previously known as Squaw Valley, recently underwent a name change to Palisades Tahoe, following a campaign by Native American groups highlighting the derogatory nature of the original name.

Avalanches are a known risk in the Tahoe region, with the Sierra Avalanche Center providing daily danger forecasts. The danger rating on the day of the avalanche was “considerable” for all levels tracked by the center. While there have been no avalanche-related fatalities in the area thus far in 2024, it is a somber reminder of the dangers posed by the unpredictable forces of nature. The incident at Palisades Tahoe serves as a tragic reminder of the potential risks associated with winter sports and the need for caution when venturing into the mountains.