Nine skiers still missing after avalanche in California; six rescued

CALIFORNIA: Nine skiers remain missing after an avalanche struck California’s Sierra Nevada mountains, while six others from the group have been rescued, authorities confirmed on Wednesday.

The avalanche hit the Castle Peak area near Truckee, about 10 miles north of Lake Tahoe, around 11:30 am local time on Tuesday. According to the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office, the avalanche engulfed a group of backcountry skiers who were on a guided excursion.

Rescue officials said the six recovered skiers sustained various injuries, with two transported to hospital for treatment. Survivors had taken shelter in a makeshift structure built partly with tarpaulin sheets and were able to communicate with rescuers through radio beacons and text messages.

Authorities warned that search operations for the missing skiers are progressing slowly due to hazardous weather conditions and the continued threat of additional avalanches. A winter storm has recently dumped several feet of fresh, unstable snow across the high Sierra region.

The Sierra Avalanche Center said its avalanche warning, issued Tuesday, remains in effect. The agency cautioned that “high avalanche danger” could persist through Wednesday.

Initially, officials believed 16 people were part of the group, but the sheriff’s office later revised the number to 15.

Blackbird Mountain Guides, the company organising the tour, said the group was returning from a three-day trip when the avalanche struck. The company earlier stated the group included four guides and 12 clients.

The skiers were staying at the Frog Lake Backcountry Huts near Donner Summit, located at an elevation of about 7,500 feet northwest of Truckee. The area is known for heavy snowfall, receiving more than 400 inches annually in a typical winter.

Founded in 2020, Blackbird operates guided ski and alpine climbing trips in California, Washington state, British Columbia, and other international ski destinations. The company also provides avalanche safety education.

Avalanches claim an average of 27 lives each winter in the United States, according to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center. So far this season, six avalanche-related fatalities have been recorded nationwide.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has been briefed on the incident. His office said state authorities are coordinating a comprehensive search-and-rescue effort alongside local emergency teams.

Rescue operations remain ongoing.