Marin Man Killed In Tahoe Avalanche

POINT REYES, CA — The skier killed in a major avalanche that injured three others Wednesday at Palisades Tahoe has been identified as Kenneth Kidd, 66, of Point Reyes and Truckee, according to Placer County authorities. His death was the first resulting from an avalanche in the United States this winter, according to the Colorado Avalanche Center.

The avalanche happened just 30 minutes after the resort opened, creating a debris field estimated to be 450 feet long and 10 feet deep on the first day of operation for the KT-22 run, a popular "black diamond" route for advanced skiers and snowboarders.

The incident triggered large-scale search and rescue efforts as first responders rushed to find anyone who may have been buried in the snow. Resort officials said more than 100 personnel and community members utilized avalanche transceivers, probes and rescue dogs to comb the mountain as more help was deployed from Olympic Valley Fire, Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue and the Placer County Sheriff's Office.

Despite their efforts, Kidd suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the Tahoe Forest Hospital. Three other skiers were rescued and treated for minor injuries.

"The entire Palisades Tahoe team, including all of the first responders, extend their deepest sympathies to the family and friends of those involved in the incident," the resort said in a statement Wednesday. "The cause of the avalanche is under investigation."

Palisades Tahoe, known as "Squaw Valley' until 2021, was part of a large area of the Central Sierra Nevada classified as under "considerable" avalanche danger Wednesday by the Sierra Avalanche Center. According to the National Weather Service, another 14 inches of snow fell at the resort between Wednesday and Thursday morning.

The ski resort remained closed through Wednesday and reopened Thursday morning.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.