Rescuers recover eight bodies after massive Castle Peak avalanche in California’s Lake Tahoe region; conditions remain extremely dangerous.
Rescue teams in California’s Lake Tahoe region have confirmed the bodies of eight skiers who were missing after a massive avalanche on Tuesday. Nevada County Sheriff Shannan Moon said that one skier remains unaccounted for but is presumed dead, and authorities continue recovery efforts under hazardous conditions.
The avalanche struck the Castle Peak area at around 11:30 local time, sweeping through a “football-field” sized stretch of backcountry terrain. Fifteen skiers were reported missing, while six were rescued, including one guide and five clients from a Blackbird Mountain guided tour. Two of the survivors sustained injuries severe enough that they had to be carried back to safety.
Placer County Sheriff Wayne Woo expressed condolences to the families and highlighted the emotional strain on the search crews, noting that one of the deceased was married to a member of the rescue team.
Officials said the avalanche claimed seven women and two men. Recovery has been slowed by extreme weather, heavy snowfall, and dangerous backcountry conditions. Since the incident, an additional three feet of snow has fallen, increasing the risk to rescuers.
Tahoe National Forest supervisor Chris Feutrier described the ongoing hazard as “high,” and authorities urged the public to avoid the backcountry to allow search teams to focus on recovering victims.
The avalanche has been rated D2.5 on the Sierra Avalanche Center’s destructive potential scale, indicating a length of over half a mile and snow deposits of approximately 6.5 feet. Nearby Boreal Mountain Ski Resort, which reported more than 30 inches of snowfall since Tuesday, closed due to low visibility and high winds, as did several major highways including Interstate 80 and Highway 50.
The tragic incident occurred at the end of a three-day backcountry ski trip involving 11 recreational skiers and four guides. Rescue teams, comprising roughly 50 personnel, have braved “treacherous” terrain and weather to reach the victims, with body recoveries ongoing before transportation to the Placer County morgue.
Governor Gavin Newsom confirmed state authorities are coordinating with local emergency teams to support the search and recovery efforts. Officials cautioned that conditions remain dangerous, emphasizing the need for public compliance and patience as crews continue their work.