Nine Skiers Missing After Lake Tahoe Avalanche: Rescue Efforts Under Way
Nine Skiers Missing After Lake Tahoe Avalanche: Rescue Efforts Under Way
Backcountry avalanche near Truckee leaves ten skiers unaccounted for as rescue teams race against heavy snowfall and high danger in the Sierra Nevada.
An avalanche swept through a backcountry ski area near Lake Tahoe on Tuesday, taking out a guided group and leaving ten skiers unaccounted for as rescue teams pushed through a heavy snowpack. The group, reportedly composed of four ski guides and twelve clients, was touring Castle Peak in the Sierra Nevada when conditions rapidly worsened. Officials said six people were rescued in the early hours, while the remainder remained missing as teams pressed into unstable terrain.
Rescuers from multiple agencies converged on the avalanche zone, with support from Boreal Mountain and Tahoe Donner's Alder Creek Center, and coordination led by the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office. Weather remained hazardous, with a winter storm delivering more snowfall and prompting warnings of high avalanche danger in the backcountry. The situation underscored the perilous mix of deep snow and evolving weather that characterizes Sierra backcountry travel.
Search operations faced limited visibility and the risk of additional slides as teams used avalanche beacons and probes to locate victims. Authorities noted that a vehicle buried in snow nearby illustrated the severity of the storm and the magnitude of the operation. The incident has prompted renewed discussions about winter safety in high-risk terrain and the importance of checking avalanche forecasts before venturing into the backcountry.
Officials urged backcountry travelers to stay off the slopes until conditions improve and to await official updates as the search continues. The Lake Tahoe region has seen ongoing avalanche activity in recent winters, highlighting the challenging realities facing guides, clients, and rescue crews in this mountainous landscape.
