An avalanche at Palisades Tahoe, a ski resort in Olympic Valley, California, claimed the life of a 66-year-old skier, Kenneth Kidd, and injured another individual on January 10, 2024. The tragic event happened at around 9:30 a.m. on the steep slopes under the KT-22 lift, which is known for its challenging “Black Diamond” runs.
Kenneth Kidd, who resided in both Point Reyes and the Truckee area, near Lake Tahoe, California, was confirmed dead by the Placer County Sheriff’s Office. Another person, not a local resident, sustained non-life-threatening injuries. Two others were caught in the avalanche but were helped out by people around them.
The avalanche, which forced the closure of the resort, occurred just 30 minutes after the ski area opened for the day. The KT-22 lift had just been made accessible to skiers for the first time this season. Before the opening, Palisades Tahoe officials had been patrolling the area for avalanche conditions since Sunday.
The Sheriff’s Office said the avalanche affected an area about 150 feet wide, 450 feet long, and 10 feet deep.
A witness described seeing many people buried and calling for help.
Responding to the emergency, Palisades Tahoe shut down both sides of the mountain. Rescue efforts involved the resort’s crew and local agencies, ensuring no additional victims were on the mountain.
Sgt. David Smith of the Placer County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that all search efforts had concluded and that there was no one else on the mountain.
In a statement, Palisades Tahoe expressed their deepest sympathies to the families and friends of those affected by the incident. They highlighted the collective effort of all first responders involved in the emergency situation.
Witnesses reported seeing skis, poles, and a hand protruding from the snow following the avalanche, indicating the severity of the situation. More than 100 personnel from Palisades Tahoe participated in the search for the victims.
The Sierra Avalanche Center had warned of a risk of avalanches in the area, citing heavy snow and strong winds as contributing factors. The region had been experiencing such conditions around the time of the avalanche.
Palisades Tahoe, about 40 miles from Reno, Nevada, is noted for hosting the 1960 Winter Olympics. The resort has a long history of winter sports and is a popular destination for both local and international visitors.
The incident at Palisades Tahoe marks a somber moment in the 2023-2024 winter season, being the first avalanche-related fatality in the U.S. for the season. The resort plans to partially reopen, with the area affected by the avalanche, KT-22, remaining closed.
The cause of the avalanche is currently under investigation.