Palisades Tahoe: Olympic Valley, CA – In a devastating incident, one person lost their life, and another was injured in an avalanche at Palisades Tahoe on Wednesday morning, sending shockwaves through the tight-knit skiing community and emphasizing the persistent danger of avalanches in the Tahoe region.
The victim, identified as 66-year-old Kenneth Kidd from Point Reyes and Truckee-Tahoe, was caught in the avalanche that occurred around 9:30 a.m. on the Palisades side above the GS gully area of KT-22. Despite the efforts of more than 100 personnel from Palisades Tahoe and additional resources from Cal Fire, Kidd did not survive the tragic event.
The avalanche, which buried two individuals, prompted a swift response from emergency services and ski resort personnel. The resort’s mountain operations team had reportedly conducted avalanche mitigation efforts in the area earlier that day. However, despite these measures, the snowslide occurred, leaving a debris field approximately 150 feet wide, 450 feet long, and 10 feet deep.
During a news conference, officials confirmed that no other individuals were believed to be missing, providing some relief to the community amid the tragedy. Palisades Tahoe announced that the resort would reopen at 9 a.m. on Thursday, but the KT-22 terrain would remain closed as investigations and safety assessments continued.
Eyewitnesses, including a skier who was on the lift at the time of the avalanche, shared their experiences and detailed how they joined in the search efforts to assist first responders. The collective effort of the community during such challenging times was highlighted as a beacon of support.
Representative Kevin Kiley, whose 3rd Congressional District encompasses the area of the resort, expressed condolences and gratitude to the first responders in a statement. He assured the community that his office is in contact with the Placer County Office of Emergency Services.
The incident brings attention to the ongoing risk of avalanches in the Tahoe region. The Sierra Avalanche Center publishes daily danger forecasts, and Wednesday’s avalanche danger rating was deemed “considerable” for all levels. The community is reminded to stay informed about these forecasts and to exercise caution when engaging in winter sports activities in mountainous areas.
Palisades Tahoe, formerly known as Squaw Valley, is one of the region’s most popular ski resorts. Renamed in 2021 after a push by Native American groups to address the derogatory history of the original name, the resort has been an integral part of the skiing culture and hosted the 1960 Winter Olympics.
This tragedy marks the first avalanche-related fatality in the United States in 2024, according to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center. In 2023, there were 30 avalanche-related fatalities nationwide, with two occurring in California.
As the community mourns the loss of Kenneth Kidd and supports the injured individual in their recovery, discussions around safety measures, ongoing avalanche risk awareness, and the role of ski resorts in ensuring visitor safety are likely to be at the forefront of future conversations.
Palisades Tahoe:
Read here: “Lakers Ride Wave of Unity as They Clash with Suns”
