The mountain can be both a playground and a merciless force of nature, as one group of skiers discovered during a chilling avalanche at Palisades Tahoe that claimed the life of a 66-year-old Marin County resident.

On a snowy Wednesday morning, what started as a typical ski day turned into a nightmare when an avalanche swept through the GS Bowl, a recently opened black diamond trail beneath the KT-22 lift. Kenneth Kidd, a resident of Point Reyes and Truckee, tragically lost his life in the incident, the first fatal avalanche at the resort since 2020.

A Narrow Escape

Janet He’s survival story reads like a heart-pounding thriller. Swept approximately 200 feet down the mountain, she found herself buried in heavy snow, her face pressed against the cold white landscape. “The snow was already moving my feet, took me away and swept me off the mountain,” she recounted. Her salvation came from an unexpected hero who uttered the most reassuring words: “No worries, I got you”.

Mountain’s Unpredictable Nature

Ski California’s president Michael Reitzell offered a sobering perspective: “Avalanches are extremely rare, but they do happen”. The resort’s operations team had been conducting control work in the days leading up to the incident, underscoring the constant vigilance required in alpine environments.

For Joseph Lu, Janet’s husband, the moment was gut-wrenching. Skiing ahead of his wife, he frantically searched, using his ski pole to probe the snow and yelling her name, a testament to the sudden, chaotic nature of mountain rescues.

A snowboarder from Santa Cruz, Jason Glickman, witnessed the immediate aftermath. “Everyone was focused on trying to find people who were caught,” he said. Avalanche dogs and ski patrol worked tirelessly, ultimately rescuing three people from the snow.

Palisades Tahoe reopened the following day, though the KT-22 area remained closed, a stark reminder of the day’s tragic events. Dee Byrne, the resort’s President and CEO, visibly emotional during a press conference, acknowledged the profound loss felt by the entire team.

As winter sports enthusiasts continue to chase powder and adrenaline, this incident serves as a poignant reminder: the mountains demand respect, and nature’s power can never be underestimated.