January 11, 2024 - OLYMPIC VALLEY, CA - Placer County Sheriff's Office officials report that at approximately 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday at Palisades Tahoe, an avalanche occurred on the Palisades side of the ski resort, specifically above the GS bowl area of KT-22.

Olympic Valley Fire Department responded to Palisades Tahoe for word of an avalanche in the ski area. OVFD contacted ski patrol, who confirmed an avalanche in the GS Bowl of KT 22. OVFD began recruiting allied agencies and pooling resources in support of Palisades Ski Patrol efforts: OVFD, PCSO, and Palisades Tahoe.

Placer County Sheriff’s Office assisted Olympic Valley Fire and Palisades Tahoe with the search and rescue operation. Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue was activated along with allied agency partners and assets from the west side. PCSO is investigating the coroner’s case.

The avalanche caused one fatality and one injury. Our thoughts and prayers are with their family members at this difficult time.

We are identifying the victim of Wednesdays avalanche as 66-year-old Kenneth Kidd who is a resident of both Point Reyes and the Truckee Tahoe area. Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends of Mr. Kidd during this difficult time.

No further missing persons have been reported. More than 100 Palisades personnel participated in a beacon search, and two probe lines have been completed. The mountain is closed for the remainder of the day.

The avalanche debris field is approximately 150 feet wide, 450 feet long and 10 feet deep.

We will update with more information as it becomes available. A press conference video below.

Palisades Tahoe Avalanche Press Conference

Source: Placer County Sheriff's Office