California generally has mild winters in many of its regions, but those interested in skiing still have several options when visiting higher-altitude areas such as the mountains near Lake Tahoe. However, it’s always important to be cautious. At Palisades Tahoe Resort in eastern California, one man nearly died in the snow before being saved by two brave individuals who found him by chance.
In the video, a man can be seen going downhill in a snowy area during a whiteout. The cameraman stops when he notices another man standing near a mound of snow. As he and two other men approach, they realize someone is buried beneath the snow and rush to rescue the individual, who is lucky to still be alive.
The footage was shared by Carson Schmidt, one of the skiers who rescued the man trapped under the snow. The incident occurred on February 18, but the video only surfaced recently, as Schmidt was initially unsure whether he should post it online.
According to Schmidt’s social media post, they only discovered the fallen man because they could see the tip of the skis, which they almost missed. He also left a reminder for everyone: “to ski safely, and ski with a buddy. Doesn’t have to be an avalanche or a tree well to get buried when it’s that deep.”
The Dangers of Skiing Alone During a Whiteout
Most people who watched the video agreed that skiing can be a safe sport, but it should not be done alone, especially during a whiteout, when visibility is drastically reduced, and the chances of being seen if something goes wrong are much lower. Some also pointed out that it’s important to use proper avalanche gear and carry a beacon in situations like this, as failing to do so can be fatal.
Others commented on how lucky the man was, saying, “Those guys literally saved his life by pure luck and sharp eyes. Huge props to them.”
The life-or-death situation shown in the video deeply shook some viewers. One commented, “Tahoe seems like a very dangerous place to ski.” This remark prompted others to clarify that this isn’t necessarily true, as long as proper precautions are taken and people avoid skiing alone.
