Jason Parker considers himself extremely fortunate to be alive after getting caught in an avalanche while snowboarding at Palisades Tahoe ski resort on January 11th. He was completely buried under about four feet of snow for nearly ten minutes before being located by rescuers.
The harrowing ordeal began when Parker, an experienced 52-year-old skier from Reno with over 35 years on the slopes, decided to take advantage of the first opening day for the KT-22 chairlift despite the high winds and low visibility.
After a successful first run down the right side of the peak, Parker and his fiancée went back up, intending to traverse the left side for their second run.
Parker went first, and about five seconds after feeling some harmless sloughing of snow, he found himself swept off his feet by the sudden avalanche. He tried staying on top as the snow carried him down the slope but rapidly accelerated upon reaching a gulley.
Flung onto his stomach and heading headfirst down the mountain, Parker had the presence of mind to yell to nearby skiers in hopes they would witness where he ended up.