40-Feet-Deep Crevasse Discovered at Sierra-at-Tahoe Following Winter Storms

After Northern California weathered its latest winter storm, Sierra-at-Tahoe Ski Resort took immediate action to address hazardous conditions on the backside of their mountain. A significant formation, characterized by towering wind lips and a sizable crevasse, prompted authorities to partially close the run due to safety concerns.

“It’s the first time I’ve seen anything like that here,” said John Rice, the resort’s general manager, to CBS 13.

The distinctive snow feature, featuring 20-foot-high wind lips and a massive crevasse reaching depths of about 40 feet, posed a substantial risk to winter sports enthusiasts. The hazard was shown on the Sierra-at-Tahoe Facebook page:

Rice pointed out that the absence of trees on the mountain, a consequence of the 2021 Caldor Fire, rendered the backside vulnerable to heavy snowfall.

The crack’s formation, he explained, was exacerbated by its location atop a creek bed. “Every valley has a river or creek, and at the bottom, that water is running year-round, so when it warms up, you’ll get areas that open up,” Rice said.

Responding swiftly, crews employed snow safety techniques and avalanche blasting to fill the crevasse and establish a barrier to restrict access to the area.

Despite the challenges posed by the storm, resort officials found a silver lining. The substantial snowfall enables them to extend the ski season through the last week of April, much to the delight of skiers and snowboarders.