BREAKING: Squaw Valley Closes After Fatal Ski Patrol Incident

Photo of Squaw Valley from its website. 

UPDATE: (Squaw Valley, Calif.) January 24, 2017 – 1:00 AM – Joe Zuiches, a 42-year-old resident of Olympic Valley and a member of the Squaw Valley professional ski patrol since 2012, was killed in a fatal incident at 8:35 AM this morning during avalanche control activities. The incident, which occurred at the top of Gold Coast Ridge at Squaw Valley, does not appear to be avalanche related. North Tahoe Fire Department and the Placer County Sheriff’s Office are on scene, and an investigation is underway. Updates will be posted here as they become available.

The team at Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows is deeply saddened by this tragic event, and we extend our deepest sympathies to the family and friends affected.

A press conference has been scheduled for 2:00 pm today at the Alpenglow Conference Room in The Village at Squaw Valley.

Above statements directly from Squaw Valley incident report. 

Zuiches wife and baby will need all the help they can get, donate here.

January 24, 2017 at 10 AM — According to Squaw Valley's website, a ski patroller died on the mountain this morning around 8:45 a.m. while doing avalanche control work. 

The victim was an employee at the mountain and a name has not yet been released. 

"The team at Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows is deeply saddened by this tragic event and would like to express our deepest sympathies to the family and friends affected.

Squaw Valley will be closed for the day. Alpine Meadows will be open today."

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stash member Leslie Hittmeier

Leslie is a freelance writer and photographer. Storytelling is her focus and she spends her time following badass skiers and climbers around in their natural habitats. As an obsessed skier and climber herself, she plays and trains in the Tetons.