Several people have been rescued after an avalanche at Palisades Tahoe ski resort in California prompting an emergency response from crews now desperately searching for visitors trapped under snow.
The ski resort has been closed for the day due to this incident, along with a significant winter storm moving in.
‘At approximately 9.30am today at Palisades Tahoe, an avalanche occurred on the Palisades side, specifically above the GS gully area of KT-22,’ the resort said in a statement on X, formerly Twitter.
‘Our Patrol and mountain operations teams are performing a search at this time. We will update with more information as it becomes available.’
There are no official reports of injuries at the the moment.
The Palisades Tahoe ski resort in California, formerly Squaw Valley, was struck by an avalanche at around 9.30am on Wednesday
Rescuers set off on skidoos to find people buried in the snow
Locals reported that the avalanche happened within minutes of the KT-22 slope opening for the first time this winter
Radio enthusiasts scanning emergency communications suggested that one skier had died and one had suffered a broken leg, but all others were accounted for shortly before 4pm.
Ridgetop gusts of 100mph were expected today as the resort is buffeted by a winter storm.
Unconfirmed reports suggested that up to 20 people had been rescued from under the snow.
But weather forecaster Mark Sponsler who is based in the resort resort said ‘multiple’ people were missing after the avalanche which happened within minutes of the KT-22 slope opening for the first time this winter.
He and his wife arrived at the Palisades base area in Olympic Valley to ski on Wednesday morning.
‘Apparently the first group of skiers up the lift skied down in the bowl under the lift, triggering a massive avalanche that spanned the width of the entire bowl,’ he wrote on Instagram.
‘Multiple people buried. Patrol is up there right now doing search and rescue operations. Multiple people missing.
‘Pray they are found alive. Even in low snow conditions avalanche potential is very real. Stay safe and be smart.’
‘One person who literally saw it happen told me they saw at least five people disappear under the snow, and only one came up,’ he told the SF Chronicle.
‘They saw skis and poles sticking up out of the snow.
‘This isn’t a little slide, this is a really big deal.’
Sgt David Smith, a spokesperson for the Placer County sheriff, told The Associated Press there are ‘no confirmed reports’ of people trapped but search teams are assessing the area.
The resort which hosted the 1960 Winter Olympics spans more than 6,000 skiable acres and averages 450 inches of snowfall each season.
The Weather Channel reported that the resort had already received up to five inches of fresh snow in the past three days.
The Sierra Avalanche Center reported a ‘considerable’ risk of avalanches for today and tomorrow.
‘Dangerous avalanche conditions. Careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route-finding and conservative decision-making essential,’ it advised.
The red circle on this resort map highlights the location of this morning’s avalanche
Unconfirmed reports suggested that up to 20 people had been rescued from under the snow
The resort which hosted the 1960 Winter Olympics spans more than 6,000 skiable acres and averages 450 inches of snowfall each season
Ridgetop gusts of 100mph were expected today as the resort is buffeted by a winter storm
California Governor Gavin Newsom said: ‘The state is monitoring and standing by to assist with the avalanche reported at Palisades in Tahoe.
‘Cal Fire is moving resources and personnel to help with rescue efforts and will continue close coordination.’
‘While we associate avalanche risk with heavy snow and variable temperatures, this is a good reminder that low-snow conditions can also lead to dangerous situations,’ skimag.com reported.
‘Palisades Tahoe is currently reporting a 50-inch base amid continuing snowstorm and gusty winds.’