Carson Schmidt viral video shows Sacramento skier saving buried man at Palisades Tahoe during dangerous California snowstorm

Two Sacramento skiers are being called heroes after a shocking rescue at Palisades Tahoe in California. A viral video shows them saving a man who was buried deep under fresh snow during heavy snowfall this week.

The scary moment happened at Palisades Tahoe on Thursday, February 26, as whiteout conditions made it hard to see. One skier spotted something unusual, a pair of ski tips sticking out of the snow. That small detail helped save a life. As storms continue to hit California, the mountains have been covered in deep powder. But with that beauty comes real danger. In the now-viral clip, the two friends quickly stop and rush toward the ski tips.

They begin digging fast. Within seconds, they uncover a man trapped under the snow. He is cold, in shock, but alive. The video has spread widely on social media, with many praising their quick thinking and sharp eyes.Users online reacted strongly, one wrote, “Insane footage. Those guys literally saved his life by pure luck and sharp eyes and huge props to them.” Another added, “Tahoe seems like a very dangerous place to ski.”

A third user questioned, “Good job but instead of taking a video, why don’t you help out there digging that man out of the snow?” Others called it “terrifying” and a “chilling reminder” to never ski alone in a whiteout.

Carson Schmidt shares how the Palisades Tahoe rescue happened during dangerous whiteout conditions

Local outlet KCRA 3 identified one of the rescuers as Carson Schmidt from Sacramento. He had driven up to Palisades Tahoe with his friend for a ski trip last week. Speaking to KCRA 3, Carson Schmidt said the rescue happened between the KT and Olympic Lady areas of the mountain.“For whatever reason we just stop below, and I see ski tips and next thing you know, you just kind of go into go mode and just dig him out til you can find his face. He was in total shock, like all he wanted to find was his wife,” Carson Schmidt said.He added that the man’s body was blue when they pulled him out. The skier did not know how long he had been buried. Carson Schmidt also warned that the terrain at Palisades Tahoe can be very advanced, especially in whiteout weather.“Deep snow, it’s the great equalizer… Everybody needs to be aware when you go out in that deep of snow. You need to ski with a partner, and you need to be trained. You need to have beacon, shovel, probe. You need to have all the right stuff,” he said.Carson Schmidt told KCRA 3 that he does not know the rescued man’s name or how he ended up buried because the man was in shock. The powerful video continues to circulate online, reminding skiers to stay alert and never take mountain safety lightly.