Six skiers rescued, nine still missing after avalanche near Lake Tahoe
Rescue teams recovered six backcountry skiers stranded by an avalanche in Northern California's Castle Peak area Tuesday; nine others remain unaccounted for.
10 hrs ago
Search-and-rescue personnel recovered six skiers stranded in Northern California's backcountry following an avalanche on Tuesday, according to the Nevada County Sheriff's Office. Nine people from the same group remain unaccounted for.
The avalanche struck around 11:30 a.m. in the Castle Peak area near Truckee, amid a powerful winter storm. Authorities said a group of 15 people total—12 skiers and four guides—were involved in the incident. Initial reports cited 16 people, but the number was later clarified to 15.
Rescue ski teams from Boreal Mountain Ski Resort and Tahoe Donner's Alder Creek Adventure Center deployed to reach the survivors sheltering at the avalanche site. Two of the six recovered skiers were transported to a hospital for treatment; their conditions were unknown. The remaining four survivors were directed to shelter in place at the site as rescue efforts continued.
Forty-six first responders were sent to search for the nine missing skiers. The Nevada County Sheriff's Office, Nevada County Search & Rescue, and personnel from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection mobilized at the scene.
Rescue operations faced significant challenges from dangerous weather conditions. A powerful winter storm continued to strike the area, and authorities warned that the threat of additional avalanches remained high. Captain Russell Greene of the sheriff's office said the rescue effort would be "a slow, tedious process" because teams had to exercise extreme caution while accessing the area due to ongoing avalanche danger.
The avalanche occurred on the final day of a three-day backcountry skiing trip. Rescue teams used specialized equipment, including snow grooming vehicles, to reach the trapped group. Highly skilled rescue ski teams from nearby resorts were deployed to assist in the operation.
As of Tuesday evening, the search for the nine missing skiers was ongoing, with authorities continuing efforts despite the hazardous conditions.