A major search and rescue operation is underway after an avalanche swept through a popular backcountry skiing area in northern California, leaving nine skiers unaccounted for amid severe winter conditions.
The incident occurred late Tuesday morning on Castle Peak, near the Lake Tahoe region, as a powerful storm dumped heavy snow across the Sierra Nevada mountains. According to local authorities, a group of 15 backcountry skiers was caught in the avalanche.
Six skiers were rescued by Tuesday evening, suffering what officials described as varying degrees of injuries. Two of the survivors were transported to hospital for further treatment. Rescue teams continued searching for the remaining nine as snowfall intensified and visibility deteriorated.
The Nevada County Sheriff’s Office said extreme weather conditions significantly delayed rescue efforts, forcing teams to navigate hazardous terrain before reaching the victims.
“Due to extreme weather conditions, it took several hours for rescue personnel to safely reach the skiers and transport them to safety,” the sheriff’s office said, adding that the search remains ongoing and dependent on weather conditions.
Authorities initially reported that 16 people—four guides and 12 clients—were involved, but later revised the figure to 15.
In total, 46 emergency responders were deployed, including specialised rescue ski teams from Boreal Mountain Ski Resort and Tahoe Donner Alder Creek Adventure Center, working alongside local fire and medical services.
The avalanche struck as a major winter storm battered the region, producing white-out conditions and several feet of snow. The National Weather Service warned that higher elevations of the Sierra Nevada could receive up to eight feet of snow within 48 hours, with wind gusts reaching 55 miles per hour.
The Sierra Avalanche Center had earlier issued a high-risk warning, cautioning that large and dangerous avalanches were likely through at least early Wednesday, with the threat potentially persisting throughout the day.
Nevada County Sheriff’s Office Captain Russell Green urged the public to avoid backcountry skiing under current conditions.
“We advise against it, obviously,” Green told local media, noting that while backcountry skiing is common, the conditions made the outing particularly dangerous.
Meanwhile, the Colorado Avalanche Information Center reported that six avalanche-related deaths have occurred across the United States so far this season, including a fatal incident at Castle Peak earlier in January.
Rescue teams say efforts to locate the missing skiers will continue as soon as weather and safety conditions allow.
