'High' risk of backcountry avalanches in the Sierra forecast for Saturday

A Palisades Tahoe ski patroller stands in front of the closed KT 22 lift on January 11, 2024 The Sierra Avalanche Center is projecting a high risk for additional avalanches in the Tahoe Basin's backcountry areas this weekend after two avalanches at a ski resort. One of the avalanches happened at the , a site used as a type of testing ground for elite skiers.

The first one left a 66 year old man dead and three others caught in the snow needing rescue. The group produces daily outlooks for avalanche risk based on observations of the snowpack and recent weather conditions. These outlooks highlight backcountry territory only and do not represent conditions for terrain that is maintained by ski resorts.

Advertisement Article continues below this ad Experts with the SAC say that a weak layer buried in the growing snowpack continues to create concern for additional slides in the coming days. This weak layer was first identified by in person observations on Jan. 2 and has likely been the root of many slides in recent days.

The potential for more strong winds adds to the avalanche risk. Winds blowing over mountain crests can create uneven loading of snow at the tops of steep slopes. Gusts of 100 mph are possible at peaks over 9,000 feet on Saturday, according to the National Weather Service. The SAC specifically cites a potential for failures in the snowpack that could be two to six feet deep.

The group is urging all skiers and riders to make conservative terrain choices this weekend. Additional snow accumulations will range from 12 to 16 inches on Saturday. This will be a wet snow compared to recent systems, and that could be a good thing. Experts say that with time, that added moisture can trickle down through the existing layers of snow and help to stabilize that snowpack in the future.

You can check the Sierra Avalanche Center's on their homepage. Advertisement Article continues below this ad.