Eight Skiers Found Dead, One Missing After Massive Lake Tahoe Avalanche

Authorities confirmed that eight backcountry skiers have died and one remains missing following a massive avalanche near Lake Tahoe. This has been declared the deadliest avalanche in the United States in over 40 years.

At approximately 11:30 AM on Tuesday, February 17, a "large to very large" avalanche (rated D2.5) struck a group of 15 backcountry skiers in the Castle Peak area, north of Donner Summit and about 10 miles north of Lake Tahoe.

The party consisted of 11 clients and 4 guides from Blackbird Mountain Guides. They were on the final day of a three-day trek returning from the remote Frog Lake huts.

Six people (one man and five women) survived and were rescued Tuesday evening after sheltering under tarps in blizzard conditions. Two were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.

This morning, Nevada County Sheriff Shannan Moon confirmed that search crews located the bodies of eight missing skiers. One skier remains unaccounted for, though officials have stated they are now presuming that person has also perished.

The scale of this disaster is historic. It is the deadliest single avalanche event in the U.S. since 1981, when 11 people were killed on Mount Rainier in Washington.

The region has been pummeled by a "monster winter storm" that dropped over 30 inches of snow in 24 hours. At the time of the slide, a High Avalanche Danger warning was in effect. Rescuers described the scene as extremely treacherous, with gale-force winds and whiteout visibility making the search nearly impossible yesterday.

Governor Gavin Newsom expressed condolences, stating, "Our hearts are with the victims and their families of this horrific tragedy."

Officials warn of continued high avalanche danger in the Sierra Nevada amid the ongoing storm.