Watch dramatic rescue of buried skier at Tahoe area ski resort after storm
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Skiers at Palisades Tahoe helped rescue a buried skier after 100+ inches fell.
- Storm created avalanche risk and closed Palisades and nearby resorts for days.
- Rescuers urged 'ski with a buddy' and quick action; video was shared online.
With his GoPro rolling, a skier at Palisades Tahoe and a friend helped rescue another skier buried upside down in snow on a run near the famous KT-22 lift after a blizzard dumped more than 100 inches of snow at the California resort.
The storm created dangerous avalanche conditions and caused Palisades, along with neighboring Lake Tahoe resorts, to close for multiple days.
Carson Schmidt was skiing with his friend on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, when they noticed a pair of skis protruding from the snow.
“Hey, they good?” Schmidt says in the video, pointing to the skis sticking out of the snow. He shared the video with The Sacramento Bee.
The pair quickly ascertained that a skier was still attached to the skis, and bee-lined toward him.
“Wasn’t sure if I was going to post this or not but this was at Palisades between Kt and Olympic lady on Wednesday feb 18th,” Schmidt wrote on Instagram. “For whatever reason we stopped and happen to just see tips of the skis in the whiteout and luckily we did. Just want it to be a reminder to ski safe and ski with a buddy. Doesn’t have to be an avalanche or a tree well to get buried when it’s that deep.”
A comment on Schmidt’s IG account praised his quick action.
“No hesitation and jumping straight into action. Good job boys,” evan.zurawell wrote.
This story was originally published February 26, 2026 at 8:41 AM.
