avalanches in resorts

[Vet]

Girls killed from exhaust fumes in their parked car from the sounds of things, below.

And the death at Red Dog was in a patrolled area that runsdown to the shops. Its not some remote backcountry wilderness area.

Be careful kiddies

(12-25) 19:32 PST SQUAW VALLEY -- A man considered an expert skier died in an avalanche in rough terrain at Squaw Valley ski resort on Christmas Day, authorities said.
More Bay Area News

* Fire near USF damages two buildings 12.29.08
* Officer OK after laying down motorcycle 12.29.08
* Man shot to death in Oakland 12.29.08
* ANTIOCH / 2 suspects sought in shooting deaths 12.29.08

The Placer County Sheriff's Department identified the victim Thursday evening as Randall C. Davis, 21, of Tahoe City.

The Sheriff's Department said the incident happened about 11 a.m. in the Red Dog area of the resort while Davis was skiing with a friend. The companion told authorities that he and Davis had taken a lift up the mountain and were skiing through fresh snow in difficult terrain when they became separated. The friend said he looked for Davis for a bit and then contacted the ski patrol to conduct a thorough search.

Rescue personnel found what they called a "fresh avalanche path" where Davis was last seen, and a single ski was found sticking out of the snow.

Rescue personnel brought in search dogs and electronic tracking devices, which helped locate Davis buried under several feet of snow. He was dead.

Family and friends told authorities that Davis was an experienced skier who had been going to Squaw Valley since he was a child.

The area where the incident occurred - extremely rugged, heavily wooded and steep - was hit by heavy winds and snow, creating blizzard conditions.

Davis' body was taken to the Placer County morgue in Auburn, where an autopsy will be conducted to determine the exact cause of death.

This is the second fatal incident at Squaw Valley this month. On Dec. 16, three female employees of the resort were found dead in their car. Placer County sheriff's officials believe the deaths were due to accidental carbon monoxide poisoning.

Authorities speculated that snow from the night before had blocked the vehicle's tailpipe, causing exhaust fumes to get blocked and seep through the floorboards.

E-mail John Koopman at jkoopman@sfchronicle.com.

This article appeared on page B - 7 of the San Francisco Chronicle

[size="1"][ 30.12.2008, 10:30 AM: Message edited by: Vet ][/size]

[popshuvit]

There was also an avalanche that hit a number of snowmobilers near Fernie.

[Paul Oberin]

Originally posted by popshuvit:
There was also an avalanche that hit a number of snowmobilers near Fernie.

I just heard that on the news, 7 people dead.

[Vet]

Originally posted by popshuvit:
There was also an avalanche that hit a number of snowmobilers near Fernie.

... and Jackson Hole I think) and somewhere else in the US I hear.

The weird thing though is Red Dog is a lift that serves a very heavily treed area which runs to the village. These things can happen in patrolled areas near Ski Rescue huts and near places the Avi dogs are kept. Frightening.

[Podlettte]

and a skier inbounds at Jackson hole.

Be careful out there folks, ski safely

[Vet]

I've seen a suggestion of airbags with a rip-cord to pull if caught in an avalanche. Anyone think that's got any merit?