Douglas County Search and Rescue Conducts Avalanche Training at Heavenly Ski Resort
Stateline, NV – On Saturday, March 15, Douglas County Search and Rescue (DCSAR) conducted an Avalanche Rescue training session at Heavenly Ski Resort. Thanks to prior coordination with Heavenly, DCSAR members were granted early tram access before the resort opened to the public. This allowed the team to train in a deeper snowpack and within a controlled “mock” avalanche scenario created by Heavenly specifically for training purposes.
The collaboration of Heavenly’s management and Ski Patrol was instrumental in making this exercise possible. The morning session focused on essential avalanche rescue techniques, including transceiver use, organized probe lines, and strategic shoveling. In the afternoon, a large-scale mock avalanche rescue was planned. However, before it could begin, DCSAR was activated for an actual rescue call involving an out-of-bounds skier.
While the training was cut short, the skier was successfully rescued by Heavenly Ski Patrol, underscoring the importance of ongoing preparedness and teamwork in mountain rescue operations. DCSAR remains committed to ensuring the safety of the community through rigorous training and swift response efforts.
The goal of Douglas County Sheriff's Search and Rescue is to provide emergency search and rescue services for the residents of and visitors to Douglas County. DCSAR also provides emergency aid and assistance in times of natural and man-made disasters and aids, as requested, to the Douglas County Sheriff's Office. Visit douglassar.org for more information.