One Dead, Two Injured In Avalanche At Palisades Tahoe
A day of snowy adventures at the popular Palisades Tahoe ski resort turned tragic Wednesday morning when an avalanche swept across the KT-22 area, leaving one skier dead and two others injured. The news sent shockwaves through the Tahoe community and renewed concerns about the dangers of venturing off-piste, even within ski resort boundaries.
The avalanche occurred around 9:30 a.m., above the GS gully area of KT-22. The precise cause remains under investigation, but officials believe a combination of heavy snowfall, wind patterns, and potentially off-piste activity triggered the slide. The Placer County Sheriff's Office confirmed the deceased was a 66-year-old man from the Truckee and Point Reyes areas. Two other skiers were caught in the avalanche but managed to escape with non-life-threatening injuries.
Palisades Tahoe immediately responded to the emergency, closing both sides of the mountain for the day and deploying its patrol and mountain operations teams for a search and rescue operation. Nearby resorts, Alpine Meadows and Squaw Valley, also offered assistance with equipment and personnel. Tragically, despite swift response efforts, the man was later pronounced dead at the scene. The victim has been identified by the Placer County Sheriff’s Office as 66-year-old year old Kenneth Kidd who is a resident of both Point Reyes and the Truckee Tahoe area.
Palisades Tahoe has issued this statement about the circumstances behind Mr. Kidd’s death:
“At approximately 9:30 a.m. today, an avalanche occurred on the Palisades side of the Palisades Tahoe resort, specifically in the GS gully area, to the skier’s right of the KT-22 chairlift. Palisades Tahoe Ski Patrol responded immediately to the scene and completed a thorough search of the area with the help of over 100 resort personnel, as well as members of the public, using avalanche transceivers, probes, RECCO Rescue System technology, and avalanche rescue dog teams.
'A male skier sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased by Tahoe Forest Hospital. Three other skiers sustained non-life threatening injuries, and were released after initial treatment.
'The entire Palisades Tahoe team, including all of the first responders, extend their deepest sympathies to the family and friends of those involved in the incident.
'The cause of the avalanche is under investigation. For more information please contact Placer County Sheriff’s Office.”
“Following yesterday’s incident, we have lost the access road to KT-22 due to avalanche debris. Access roads are required to get snowcats and snowmobiles up the mountain to spin the lift, and it requires a lot of work to put these roads in. With the heavy snowfall we saw overnight, we were not able to reestablish the road. For this reason, KT-22 is not going to open today.
"It will be a rigorous snow safety morning for both Palisades and Alpine. Since both mountains closed just shy of 11am yesterday, it will take longer to assess all terrain and get everything open. Delays will be more significant than usual. We appreciate your patience and understanding. We will send push notifications via our app as we have updates throughout the morning.”
This incident marks the first avalanche fatality at Palisades Tahoe in over a decade, highlighting the unpredictable nature of snow and the ever-present risks off-piste, even at seemingly controlled areas. While ski resorts implement avalanche mitigation measures like controlled blasting and patrolled boundaries, skiers who venture beyond marked slopes are inherently assuming additional risk.
"Our hearts go out to the family and friends of the victim, and we wish the injured a speedy recovery," said Palisades Tahoe in a statement. "We are working closely with the Placer County Sheriff's Office to investigate the cause of this incident and ensure the safety of our guests and employees."
The tragedy served as a stark reminder for skiers and snowboarders to prioritize safety while enjoying the mountains. Experts urge individuals to always stay within marked areas, check avalanche forecasts before heading out, and utilize proper gear and avalanche safety training.
"This is a sobering reminder of the power of nature and the importance of respecting the mountains," said Sarah Johnson, spokesperson for the Placer County Sheriff's Office. "Our deepest condolences go out to the victim's family, and we urge everyone to be cautious and aware of the potential risks when enjoying winter sports."
The avalanche at Palisades Tahoe casts a shadow over the winter season in the Tahoe region. As investigations continue and the community mourns the loss, the incident underscores the vital need for ongoing education and vigilance when seeking thrills on the snowy slopes.
