Avalanche
Lee Canyon Ski Area, just outside Las Vegas, Nevada, will remain closed on Tuesday and potentially Wednesday following an inbounds avalanche on Monday afternoon. Initial fears were that four people were missing, but fortunately, the swift action of Lee Canyon’s ski patrol and mountain operations teams ensured all individuals were quickly located and accounted for. One person needed assistance. That person, who was skiing with another person, was released after being treated at the scene.
https://twitter.com/LVMPD/status/1754653459515904161
The avalanche, triggered by the recent heavy snowfall, occurred above the Sherwood chairlift, hitting the Black Jack, High Roller, and Keno trails. As a precautionary measure, the resort suspended operations and evacuated guests.
“We immediately stopped the Sherwood lift, suspended all operations, and dispatched our ski patrol. We also conducted a thorough probe line over the affected areas to ensure that no one was buried under the snow.”
– Jim Seely, Lee Canyon’s marketing and sales director
— Brian Strait (@1noodleking) February 6, 2024
For those who had purchased lift tickets, Seely assured that refunds would be promptly issued.
Road closures in the region compounded the situation, with routes from Las Vegas to Lee Canyon and Mount Charleston shut down at U.S. Highway 95, as reported by the Nevada Department of Transportation on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). State Route 157 (Kyle Canyon Road) remained accessible only to mountain residents, while State Route 156 (Lee Canyon Road) was off-limits to all travelers. Justin Hopkins, an NDOT spokesperson, provided updates as the situation evolved. State Route 156 eventually reopened to all traffic, albeit with the requirement for tire chains or snow tires. Simultaneously, State Route 157 also welcomed back travelers.
The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for the area, with up to three feet of snow expected in the Spring Mountains and Sheep Range. Skiers and outdoor enthusiasts are urged to check weather conditions and exercise caution in backcountry areas.
In 2005, a 13-year-old boy was killed at Lee Canyon when an avalanche threw him from a chairlift.
Lee Canyon had received 11″ of snow in the previous 24 hours and 23″ in the previous five days. The resort currently has a 30″ base,
URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Las Vegas NV 232 AM PST Tue Feb 6 2024 NVZ015-018-019-070015- /O.CON.KVEF.WS.W.0004.000000T0000Z-240207T0600Z/ Lincoln County-Sheep Range-Spring Mountains-Red Rock Canyon- Including Hayford Pk 232 AM PST Tue Feb 6 2024 ...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM PST THIS EVENING ABOVE 6000 FEET... * WHAT...Heavy snow above 6000 feet. Additional snow accumulations of up to 12 inches. Winds gusting as high as 40 mph. * WHERE...Lincoln County, Sheep Range and Spring Mountains-Red Rock Canyon. * WHEN...Until 10 PM PST this evening. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Increased snowfall will create very dangerous avalanche conditions, hazardous to anyone near deep and unstable snowpack. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Winter Storm Warning for snow means severe winter weather conditions will make travel very hazardous or impossible. If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. The latest road conditions can be obtained by calling 5 1 1.
