A routine powder day at Palisades Tahoe turned into a life-or-death emergency on February 18 when two skiers from Sacramento rescued a man who had been buried headfirst beneath deep snow between the KT-22 and Olympic Lady runs. Helmet camera footage shows the pair noticing the tips of a single set of skis protruding from the powder during near-whiteout conditions, prompting an immediate and frantic excavation effort.

The trapped skier had fallen into an inverted position, a scenario associated with snow immersion suffocation in which loose, unconsolidated powder collapses around the body and blocks the airway. Unlike avalanches, these incidents often occur silently and without warning, leaving victims unable to move or create breathing space. In this case, the man was completely submerged, with only his skis visible above the surface.

Recognizing the urgency, the rescuers began digging rapidly with their hands, focusing first on locating the head and clearing an airway. Video shows them reaching the skier’s face moments before he gasped for breath, indicating that the window for survival was nearly exhausted. The entire rescue unfolded within minutes, underscoring how quickly immersion incidents can become fatal without immediate assistance.

Snow immersion suffocation has been responsible for more than 70 non-avalanche deaths in the United States over the past two decades, most often involving solo skiers in deep powder near tree wells or steep fall zones. The hazard is particularly dangerous because victims are frequently disoriented, inverted, and unable to self-extricate, even when fully conscious.

The rescuers later emphasized that their decision to stop and scan their surroundings—combined with skiing in a group—made the difference. In poor visibility and deep snow, subtle signs such as a missing partner or unusual tracks may be the only indicators of a burial. Their experience highlights the importance of the buddy system, especially during storm conditions when deep powder increases both the likelihood and the lethality of immersion events.

Resort officials and safety experts continue to stress that powder skiing carries unique risks beyond avalanches. Recommended precautions include skiing with a partner, maintaining visual contact, avoiding solo runs in deep snow, and carrying communication devices. Rapid response is critical, as survival time without an airway can be measured in only a few minutes.

What could have become a fatal accident instead ended in a successful rescue due to situational awareness, teamwork, and immediate action. The incident serves as a powerful reminder that even within controlled resort boundaries, deep snow conditions demand heightened vigilance and adherence to basic safety protocols.