Sledders warned about icy conditions

Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2004 | 9:36 a.m.

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Metro Police are warning snowboarders and sledders that too much ice and not enough snow makes for dangerous sliding in the Spring Mountains this week, especially on icy backcountry slopes where snow has melted.

Metro Police responded to 20 serious injury accidents from Friday to Monday afternoon, Sgt. Rory Tuggle said late Monday.

A 14-year-old boy, for example, suffered a head injury when he slammed into a tree Monday morning, Tuggle said. And by noon Monday three snowplay-related injuries involving broken arms or legs had been reported, he said.

While the Spring Mountains received early snows in November, a warming trend has extended into December.

"It hasn't snowed in weeks up here," Tuggle said.

For adventurous sledders and snowboarders, a dangerous layer of ice on popular downhill runs has made the plunges dangerous.

"They just kind of plummet straight down on the lay of the land," Tuggle said.

It will take quite a bit of fresh powder, which could arrive with winter storms expected this week, to make the Spring Mountains safe for sledders and snowboarders, Tuggle said.

The National Weather Service is predicting up to two feet or more of snow this week as the series of winter storms moves into Southern Nevada, weather service meteorologist Andy Gorelow said.

A winter storm warning was issued for Tuesday above the 5,500 foot level.

However, ski conditions at the Las Vegas Ski and Snow Board Resort are good, the resort's representatives say.

Skiers have between 26 inches and 38 inches of packed powder to glide along the slopes, and the resort reported an inch of new snow as of Monday.

In addition, the slopes at the ski resort are groomed every night for safer conditions.

Police and ski advocates advise anyone planning to visit Mount Charleston or the Spring Mountain area through this week to check current road conditions.