Palisades Tahoe reopens to droves of skiers, snowboarders following deadly avalanche
Aubin Hebert witnessed the moments after the fatal avalanche at Palisades Tahoe on Wednesday morning. He had just finished skiing a separate section of the resort.
From a lift, Hebert saw people digging others out of the snow, trying to make sure no one would be left behind.
On Thursday morning, Hebert, 22, was back on the slopes with his father. Asked if he had any reservations about being there, Hebert’s response was quick: “No.”
That was the attitude of many of the skiers and snowboarders at the Lake Tahoe area resort Thursday a day after a man was killed, and three others were injured, following an avalanche.
The resort had closed Wednesday after the sudden incident. And reopened Thursday morning to people eager to swiftly glide down its slopes. They were greeted with chilly air, sunny skies and wind that blew flakes of snow powder into their faces.
Mike Romac, 63, saw long lines waiting for both a gondola and tram when he arrived around 9 a.m. Thursday.
The Maine resident has been skiing for almost 60 years and had already spent a few days at the resort. He described the mood as “pretty somber.”
Like Hebert, though, he wasn’t deterred from returning to the slopes.
“I figured they’re probably going to be triple cautious today,” Romac said.
Even so, another section of the resort had its own avalanche Thursday. No one was injured, but word spread across the center, made up of the former Alpine Meadows and Squaw Valley ski resorts.
Wednesday’s incident happened on the side formerly known as Squaw Valley in an area called KT-22.
The section, which peaks at 8,070 feet, had just opened for the season after a recent dumping of snow. It is one of the most well-known ski areas in North America, popular for its difficulty and its large vertical drop. People often line up before 7 a.m. to be first on its chair lift, which also bears the KT-22 name. The lift was not running Thursday.
Around 9:30 a.m. Wednesday a sudden wave of snow overtook skiers. One of them was Kenneth Kidd, 66, who died from his injuries. He lived in both the Point Reyes and Truckee areas, according to the Placer County Sheriff’s Office.
Three other skiers were treated for injuries and released later in the day.
Steven Rhodes, 69, came up from Martinez Wednesday to go skiing with friends. Rhodes said he read up as much as he could about what happened. But he didn’t consider not going.
“I trust what they do,” said Rhodes, balancing skis on his shoulders. He has been skiing for almost 50 years.
As his friends were walking to an awaiting vehicle, Rhodes said the group had “put in a good day today.”
Shortly after, he went and joined them. Rhodes and the crew planned to be back at the resort Friday for another day of skiing.
