Eight skiers have been confirmed dead and a ninth is presumed dead after a massive avalanche tore through a backcountry area near Lake Tahoe, marking one of the deadliest avalanche disasters in modern U.S. history.
Nevada County Sheriff Shannan Moon announced Wednesday that rescue teams located the victims after battling brutal weather conditions near Truckee, California. The group of 15 skiers, including four guides and 11 clients, had been returning from a three day backcountry excursion to Castle Peak in the Sierra Nevada when they were caught in an avalanche described as roughly the size of a football field.
Six survivors were found and brought to safety after search teams navigated blinding snow and dangerous terrain. Authorities initially believed 16 people were on the trip, but later clarified that one individual had backed out before departure. Rescue crews are continuing efforts in the area as weather conditions allow.
“Due to the ongoing challenges of the weather, the avalanche conditions, the effort remains ongoing, as well as our search for the remaining skier,” Sheriff Moon said. Officials confirmed that one of the deceased was the spouse of a member of the rescue team.
Boreal Mountain Ski Resort reported that approximately 30 inches of snow fell in the region within 24 hours between Monday and Tuesday. Search and rescue teams, made up of roughly 50 personnel, were forced to abandon snow cat vehicles and proceed on skis for the final two miles to avoid triggering additional avalanches. Forecasters are predicting up to 18 more inches of snow later this week, which could delay body recovery operations.
The skiers were part of a guided tour organized by Blackbird Mountain Guides. Five of the survivors were clients of the company and one survivor was a guide. The company has faced questions about proceeding with the trip despite forecasts warning of dangerous avalanche conditions.
The Truckee area is a popular destination for winter recreation, known for its scenic terrain and heavy snowfall. Sheriff Moon reflected on the unpredictable nature of the mountains, noting that even experienced and well prepared adventurers remain vulnerable when conditions rapidly deteriorate.
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