On Tuesday, February 17, an avalanche struck a backcountry ski group in the Castle Peak area of the Sierra Nevada, located roughly 10 miles away from Lake Tahoe near Truckee, California. The heavy slide occurred around 11:30 a.m. local time amid a major winter storm that caused heavy snow, high winds and whiteout conditions across the region. The Sierra Avalanche Center had issued a “high avalanche danger” warning hours earlier, cautioning that large slides were likely in backcountry terrain.
The group consisted of 15 backcountry skiers, including four guides and 11 clients, on a three-day guided trip organized by the ski touring company Blackbird Mountain Guides. The group was returning from the Frog Lake backcountry huts when the avalanche swept them up.
The ski touring company announced in a news alert via its website that the “leadership team at Blackbird Mountain Guides remains fully engaged in assisting the Search and Rescue efforts on the ground as we navigate this incredibly difficult situation alongside those involved.”
Get updates on everything we know so far about the missing skiers and the avalanche that struck the area near Lake Tahoe, California.
Were the Missing Blackbird Mountain Guides Skiers Found?
Unfortunately, eight skiers were found dead on Wednesday, February 18. One person is still missing, according to The New York Times. The ninth missing person is presumed dead, authorities stated. Six survivors from the avalanche were rescued.
Story is developing …
