South Lake Tahoe Skier Dies in Avalanche Near Luther Pass

Frederic Dross, a 46-year-old father of two, was killed in California's first avalanche fatality of the winter season during a backcountry trip.

Frederic Dross, a South Lake Tahoe resident and solar industry worker, was killed in an avalanche near Powderhouse Peak on Monday.
Dross was reported overdue by his wife, who found his car parked near the popular backcountry skiing area off Luther Pass.
Friends discovered his body in the avalanche zone shortly after the report, but recovery efforts were delayed until Tuesday due to hazardous snow conditions.
The Sierra Avalanche Center had warned of unstable snowpack following a heavy winter storm, which contributed to dangerous avalanche conditions.
This incident marks the ninth avalanche-related death in the U.S. this season and the first in California this winter.