On Thursday, December 25th, 2008 shortly after 11am, Squaw Valley Ski Resort received a report of a missing skier in the Red Dog area. A companion reported the two had ridden the lift up the mountain and were skiing down in the fresh powder when they became separated.

After searching for his friend with no luck, the companion contacted Ski Patrol personnel who responded to the area to start a more thorough search. They quickly discovered a fresh avalanche path in the immediate vicinity of where the skier was last seen. A single ski was located near the debris field that matched the missing skier’s. A search utilizing specially trained dogs and electronic tracking devices located the missing skier buried under several feet of snow. He was deceased. A further search of the avalanche path revealed no additional victims.

The missing skier has been identified as Randall C. Davis, 21 years of age, of Tahoe City, California. Davis was described by friends and family as an expert skier who had frequented the Squaw Valley Ski Report since he was a child.

Blizzard conditions were present Christmas morning in the North Lake Tahoe area with heavy snow and high winds. The area where Davis was located is heavily wooded, very steep and considered expert terrain.

Davis’ remains were removed to the Placer County Morgue in Auburn where an autopsy will be performed to determine the exact cause of death.