Avalanche Sweeps Through Sierra Nevada Killing Eight Skiers and Leaving One Missing Near Lake Tahoe

What began as a guided winter trek through California’s breathtaking high country has ended in heartbreak.

Eight backcountry skiers have been confirmed dead after an avalanche tore through their group in the Sierra Nevada mountains. One person is still missing.

The group of 15 had set out on a three-day wilderness tour near Frog Lake, close to Lake Tahoe, with Blackbird Mountain Guides.

By Tuesday morning, the trip had taken a devastating turn when a massive slide buried them near Castle Peak as a fierce winter storm hammered the region.

Rescue Effort Battles Blizzard Conditions

The avalanche struck during brutal weather.

Snow was already piling up across Northern California as a powerful winter system moved through, bringing blizzard-like conditions, high winds and dangerous whiteout visibility.

Search and rescue teams rushed to the Castle Peak area after a 911 call reported the group had been caught.

But heavy snowfall and the looming threat of additional avalanches made the mission incredibly dangerous.

Crews had to move carefully, balancing urgency with safety.

Six skiers were found alive after sheltering in place for hours.

According to Nevada County Sheriff Shannan Moon, the survivors — one man and five women between the ages of 30 and 55 — were discovered close together.

Two were transported to a hospital for treatment after enduring the freezing conditions.

Eight Lives Lost, One Still Missing

Authorities have now recovered eight bodies from the mountainside.

The victims’ identities have not yet been released as officials work to notify families.

The cause of death will be determined by medical examiners.

Sheriff Moon confirmed during a press conference that families have been informed the operation has shifted from rescue to recovery — a painful but necessary step as hopes of finding additional survivors fade.

The remains of those who died were located close together, suggesting the group may have been overwhelmed within moments of the slide beginning.

A Familiar and Dangerous Landscape

The tragedy occurred just one mile from the site of another avalanche in January, underscoring how volatile the terrain can be during heavy snow cycles.

The Sierra Nevada mountain range, particularly areas around Castle Peak and Lake Tahoe, is known for world-class skiing — but also for complex snowpack conditions.

Avalanche experts often warn that backcountry terrain carries inherent risks, especially during major storm events.

Winter storms this season have been especially intense across California and Nevada.

Meteorologists had warned of heavy snowfall and unstable layers in the snowpack prior to Tuesday’s slide.

In backcountry settings, even experienced guides rely on constant assessment of snow conditions, slope angles and weather shifts — but nature can change faster than forecasts.

The Role of Guided Expeditions

Blackbird Mountain Guides, the company organizing the trek, is known for leading small, professionally guided trips into remote areas.

Guided backcountry skiing typically includes avalanche safety training, beacon use, shovels, probes and route planning.

Even so, avalanche survival often depends on timing and luck as much as preparation.

Avalanches can reach speeds of up to 80 miles per hour within seconds.

Victims buried beneath snow face rapidly diminishing oxygen levels, and survival rates drop sharply after the first 15 minutes.

Community in Shock

The tight-knit mountain and skiing communities around Lake Tahoe and Northern California are reeling.

Many backcountry enthusiasts understand the draw of untouched powder and remote wilderness — and also the sobering reality that even seasoned adventurers can be caught off guard.

Local authorities have praised rescue crews who worked in “extremely hazardous” conditions to reach the victims and survivors.

What’s Next?

Search teams continue efforts to locate the one skier still unaccounted for, though worsening weather may complicate recovery operations.

Investigators will examine avalanche forecasts, terrain conditions and decision-making factors leading up to the incident.

Officials are also expected to review storm data and avalanche advisories issued in the days prior.

The tragedy may prompt renewed conversations about backcountry safety protocols, especially during extreme weather cycles.

For now, the focus remains on supporting families and completing recovery efforts with dignity.

Summary

Eight backcountry skiers have been found dead and one remains missing after an avalanche struck a guided group of 15 near Castle Peak in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains.

Six survivors were rescued after sheltering for hours in blizzard conditions.

Authorities have shifted from rescue to recovery as search teams continue working in dangerous terrain.

The tragedy highlights the unpredictable and deadly risks of avalanche-prone backcountry areas during severe winter storms.