by CASTLE PEAK, Calif. — Rescue crews are racing against time in the rugged Sierra Nevada after a powerful avalanche buried a group of backcountry skiers Tuesday morning, leaving at least nine people missing while six others were rescued in blizzard conditions.
The slide occurred near Frog Lake in the Castle Peak area, northwest of Lake Tahoe, as a major winter storm pounded Northern California with heavy snow, high winds and whiteout conditions.
Six Skiers Rescued With Injuries
According to the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office, emergency crews were dispatched around 11:30 a.m. after a 911 call reported multiple people buried in an avalanche.
By Tuesday evening, six skiers had been located and rescued.
“Due to extreme weather conditions, it took several hours for rescue personnel to safely reach the skiers and transport them to safety.”
Authorities said the survivors suffered varying injuries, and two were transported to a hospital. The remaining rescued skiers were brought to safety after being told to shelter in place until teams could reach them.
Search efforts continue for at least nine others who remain unaccounted for.
Rescue Efforts Hampered by Dangerous Conditions
Rescue operations have proven slow and dangerous due to ongoing avalanche threats and severe weather. Nevada County Sheriff’s Capt. Russell Greene said teams are approaching cautiously to avoid triggering additional slides.
“We have brought in snowcats. We have snowmobiles on standby. We have individuals on skis… It’s just going to be a slow, tedious process.”
Skiers were able to communicate with authorities using emergency locator beacons capable of sending text messages, which helped responders pinpoint their location.
The group was reportedly on the final day of a three-day guided backcountry ski trip led by Blackbird Mountain Guides. The company said it is coordinating closely with authorities. Early reports indicated 12 clients and four guides were on the trip, though officials later stated the group consisted of 15 people, including guides.
Avalanche Warning in Effect Across Central Sierra
The Sierra Avalanche Center had issued an avalanche warning beginning early Tuesday for the Central Sierra Nevada, including the Greater Lake Tahoe region.
Forecasters warned that rapid snowfall combined with fragile snowpack layers and gale-force winds created extremely unstable conditions.
Brandon Schwartz, a lead avalanche forecaster, said the danger is especially high during the peak of the storm.
“It’s particularly dangerous in the backcountry right now just because we’re at the height of the storm.”
The warning remains in effect into Wednesday, with officials strongly discouraging travel in avalanche terrain.
Heavy Snow Paralyzes Sierra Travel
The winter storm has dumped extraordinary snowfall across the region. In Soda Springs, about 30 inches fell within 24 hours. Forecasters say some Sierra areas could see up to 8 feet of snow before the system moves out.
Major highways have been impacted. Interstate 80 near the Nevada state line was temporarily shut down due to spinouts and crashes, according to transportation officials.
Ski resorts near Lake Tahoe have closed partially or entirely due to extreme weather. Unlike controlled ski areas with avalanche mitigation programs, backcountry terrain lacks such protections.
Read Also: Coatesville Father Charged After Infant Stabbed; 3-Month-Old Remains in Critical Condition
A Popular Yet Perilous Destination
Castle Peak rises more than 9,000 feet in the Donner Summit region and is a well-known backcountry skiing destination. However, the area’s history underscores its dangers. Donner Summit itself is named after the ill-fated Donner Party of 1846–1847, who became stranded there during a brutal winter.
Each year, 25 to 30 people die in avalanches across the United States, according to national data. Avalanche education, safety gear such as transceivers and probes, and formal rescue training are strongly recommended for backcountry skiers.
Search Continues as Storm Rages
As snow continues to fall and winds howl across the Sierra, dozens of emergency responders remain deployed in the Castle Peak area. Officials say conditions remain hazardous, and the risk of additional avalanches is high.
The priority now is locating the missing skiers and bringing them to safety.
Have you experienced avalanche conditions or backcountry skiing in the Sierra? Share your thoughts or safety tips in the comments below.
