Avalanche — Greater Lake Tahoe Area, California
2012-12-24 · Greater Lake Tahoe Area, California
1
Direct deaths
Event narrative
Avalanche control activities (explosives) at the Alpine Meadows Ski resort resulted in the death of an experienced ski patroller. The avalanche broke much wider and higher than expected based on past experience. The man was found and uncovered within 8 minutes of the avalanche. He was airlifted via CareFlight helicopter to Renown Medical Center in Reno where he died.
Wider weather episode
Strong, cold low pressure remained over the northeast Pacific from the 21st through early on the 24th bringing heavy snow to eastern California.
Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 427763. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.