Eight Skiers Found Dead After Avalanche in Lake Tahoe
Rescue teams searching the backcountry of California's Lake Tahoe region have discovered the bodies of eight skiers who went missing following an avalanche on Tuesday.
The search for one remaining missing skier is ongoing, though Nevada County Sheriff Shannan Moon stated at a Wednesday news conference that the individual is presumed dead.
Officials revealed that one of the deceased was married to a member of a search-and-rescue team, which has made the rescue efforts emotionally challenging.
Details of the Avalanche and Rescue Efforts
On Tuesday, fifteen skiers were reported missing after a large avalanche, described as the size of a football field, occurred in the Castle Peak area around 11:30 PST (19:30 GMT). Six skiers were rescued.
"I want to offer my condolences to the family in this very trying time,"
Placer County Sheriff Wayne Woo said on Wednesday.
The eight deceased skiers remain trapped beneath the snow and have not yet been recovered due to what officials described as "pretty horrific" conditions.
Since the avalanche, an additional 3 feet (0.9 meters) of snow has fallen in the area, according to Tahoe National Forest supervisor Chris Feutrier.
"The hazard remains high,"
he said.
Once recovered, the bodies will be transported to the Placer County morgue. Families of the deceased have been notified, though authorities have not released any names at this time.
Search Operation and Survivor Information
Sheriff Woo explained that the rescue operation involved two teams and approximately 50 crew members who faced "extreme weather conditions" and utilized specialized equipment.
At 17:30 local time on Tuesday, search teams reached an area about two miles (3.2 km) from where survivors were sheltering in makeshift tents and had to ski in from there.
Two of the six survivors were unable to walk due to injuries sustained during the avalanche and were carried back, Sheriff Moon reported. They were transported to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Among the survivors, one was a guide and five were clients of the Blackbird Mountain guided tour.
The entire ski group consisted of 15 individuals: 11 recreational skiers and four ski guides.
The avalanche occurred as the group was returning at the end of a three-day trip.
Official Responses and Weather Conditions
California Governor Gavin Newsom's office posted on X that state authorities are coordinating an "all-hands search-and-rescue effort" alongside local emergency teams.
Officials emphasized that conditions on Wednesday remained dangerous. Sheriff Woo described the environment as "treacherous."
"Avoid the back country,"
he urged.
"Please allow us to focus all of our resources on continuing to recover these bodies for the family and bring them home."
Avalanche Details and Impact
The Sierra Avalanche Center rated the avalanche as a D2.5 on a destructive potential scale ranging from D1 to D5. This rating indicates the avalanche was over half a mile in length and deposited approximately 6.5 feet (2 meters) of snow.
The Boreal Mountain Ski Resort, located near the accident site, reported over 30 inches (76 cm) of snowfall since Tuesday.
Due to high winds and low visibility, the resort closed on Tuesday.
The storm has also caused the closure of several highways, including Interstate 80 and Highway 50.
