Eight backcountry skiers have died and one remains missing after a powerful avalanche struck near Lake Tahoe in California, officials confirmed on Wednesday, . The incident, which occurred on Tuesday, has become the deadliest avalanche in California’s modern history.
Nevada County Sheriff Shannan Moon announced during a press conference that the search operation had transitioned from rescue to recovery. “Authorities have notified the families,” Sheriff Moon stated, confirming the grim shift in focus. The skiers were caught in an avalanche approximately the length of a football field, according to authorities.
The group, comprised of 15 skiers – a number clarified after initial reports indicated 16 – were on the final day of a three-day backcountry skiing excursion. They had been staying at the Frog Lake huts, a remote cluster of cabins accessible only through challenging mountainous terrain. The area, near Donner Summit, is known for receiving exceptionally heavy snowfall, averaging nearly 10 meters annually, according to the Truckee Donner Land Trust.
Six skiers were rescued from the avalanche site, but the conditions quickly deteriorated, hindering further search efforts. Sheriff Moon explained that search-and-rescue teams were forced to suspend operations late Tuesday night due to ongoing hazardous weather conditions, preventing a return to the mountain until conditions improved. The missing skier is presumed deceased.
The avalanche struck as the group was returning to the trailhead, according to Blackbird Mountain Guides, the company leading the expedition. The company stated it was cooperating fully with authorities in the ongoing investigation. “Our thoughts are with the missing individuals, their families, and first responders in the field,” Blackbird said in a statement.
The Sierra Avalanche Center had issued warnings about high avalanche risk in the area prior to the incident, advising against backcountry travel. Multiple meters of snowfall combined with gale-force winds had created an unstable snowpack, and further snowfall was forecast. The avalanche originated from a “persistent weak layer” within the snowpack, which had been overloaded with recent accumulation, making it particularly dangerous.
The challenging conditions hampered the rescue operation. Heavy snow and the continued threat of avalanches slowed progress, forcing crews to proceed cautiously. Two of the rescued skiers were transported to a hospital for treatment, according to Ashley Quadros, a spokesperson for the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office.
The area around Donner Summit, while popular with experienced backcountry skiers, demands a high level of skill and preparation. Reaching the Frog Lake huts requires several hours of travel, carrying all necessary food and supplies. The land trust emphasizes that the area requires backcountry skills, avalanche training, and appropriate safety equipment.
Authorities have indicated they are reviewing Blackbird Mountain Guides’ decision to proceed with the excursion despite the avalanche forecasts. The investigation will likely focus on assessing the risk assessment protocols and safety measures employed by the guiding company.
The tragedy comes amidst a significant winter storm that has blanketed the Lake Tahoe region with substantial snowfall. As much as 68 inches of snow had fallen in the area of Homewood, on the western shore of Lake Tahoe, between and mid- morning, according to the National Weather Service office in Reno. Other resorts, including Northstar California Resort and UC Berkeley Central Sierra Snow Laboratory, have also reported significant accumulations – 57 and 67 inches respectively.
Another 1 to 5 inches of snow was expected across the Greater Lake Tahoe area on Wednesday night, with up to 14 inches forecast for areas above 7,000 feet on Thursday. These continued inclement weather conditions are complicating efforts to recover the bodies of the eight deceased skiers.
Sheriff Moon confirmed that the deceased skiers came from “multiple different states,” though no further details regarding their identities have been released to the public. The sheriff’s office has not yet released information regarding the identity of the search and rescue team member who lost a spouse in the avalanche.
The incident underscores the inherent risks associated with backcountry skiing and the importance of heeding avalanche warnings. The Sierra Avalanche Center continues to monitor conditions and provide updated forecasts to the public.
