8 Skiers Dead, 1 Missing After Deadly California Avalanche

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Authorities in California have recovered the bodies of eight backcountry skiers who were killed in an avalanche near Lake Tahoe, with one person still missing. The group of 15 skiers, including three guides, were caught in the deadly slide on Tuesday morning during a three-day trek in the Sierra Nevada mountains. Six skiers were rescued, but the others were buried and killed.

Why it matters

This avalanche is being called the deadliest in the U.S. in nearly 50 years, highlighting the extreme dangers of backcountry skiing and the need for proper training and safety precautions. The incident also raises questions about the decision to proceed with the trip given the severe winter storm conditions in the forecast.

The details

The skiers were part of a guided tour by Blackbird Mountain Guides when the avalanche struck quickly, with little time for the group to react. Rescuers were able to locate six survivors, but found the bodies of eight others, including three guides, buried in the snow. The victims ranged in age from 30 to 55 and included seven women and two men. Crews are still searching for one missing person amid dangerous conditions, including several feet of new snow, subfreezing temperatures, and the threat of additional avalanches.

• The avalanche occurred on Tuesday morning during the group's three-day backcountry trek.
• The skiers had spent two nights in mountain huts before the incident on the last day of their trip.

What they’re saying

What’s next

Authorities will continue searching for the one remaining missing skier and work to recover the bodies of the victims from the mountain. Investigators will also look into the decision to proceed with the trip given the severe weather forecast.