Tragic accident at Squaw Valley
While this is a backcountry website and forum most of us enjoy spinning a few laps at our local ski resort. We tend to show up early and eager on powder days waiting for the rope to drop on our favorite bit of terrain. It's easy to complain about slow openings after a storm and ski patrol wants to get things open for the public as soon as possible and they do feel the public pressure to do so. While this might not have been the reason for the tragic passing of a Squaw Valley patroller it is something we should keep in mind. Thank a patroller for the work they do. Avalanche control work, especially when using explosives can be a dangerous affair so remember to cut them a little slack. It's only skiing after all. So go make a few turns in honor of Joe and remember to thank your local patrol. The do much more than tell those park kids to slow down in slow-zones or haul you down the mountain after you missed your landing. From Squaw Alpine.
http://squawalpine.com/explore/blog/incident-statement-january-24-2017
"– Joe Zuiches, a 42 year-old resident of Truckee, CA and a member of the Squaw Valley professional ski patrol since 2012, was killed in a fatal incident at 8:35 AM this morning, prior to regularly scheduled operations, during avalanche control activities at the top of Gold Coast Ridge at Squaw Valley. The cause is believed to be the detonation of an explosive charge, and does not appear to be avalanche related. An investigation is ongoing in cooperation with the Placer County Sheriff’s Office and North Tahoe Fire Department. Updates will be posted here as they become available."
