Deadly California Avalanche Kills Eight, One Missing/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Eight backcountry skiers were found dead after a massive avalanche near Lake Tahoe. One person remains missing as rescuers battle severe winter conditions. The disaster is the deadliest U.S. avalanche in nearly 50 years.
California Avalanche Lake Tahoe Quick Looks
- Eight confirmed dead, one still missing
- Avalanche struck near Donner Summit
- Six survivors rescued after six hours
- Occurred during major Sierra winter storm
- Avalanche warning issued hours before slide
- Three guides among presumed victims
- Deadliest U.S. avalanche since 1981
- Extreme weather hampering recovery efforts
Deep Look: Deadly California Avalanche Kills Eight, One Missing
A devastating avalanche in Northern California’s Sierra Nevada has claimed the lives of eight backcountry skiers, with one person still missing, in what authorities describe as the deadliest avalanche in the United States in nearly half a century.
The slide occurred Tuesday morning near Donner Summit, just west of Lake Tahoe, as a guided group of skiers was finishing a three-day backcountry tour in extreme winter conditions. Officials say the victims had little time to react.
“Someone saw the avalanche, yelled ‘Avalanche!’ and it overtook them rather quickly,” said Capt. Russell “Rusty” Greene of the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office.
Rescue Efforts in Harsh Conditions
Six members of the group were rescued roughly six hours after the avalanche struck. Survivors endured subfreezing temperatures and heavy snowfall while waiting for help. One person remained hospitalized Wednesday.
The search and rescue operation unfolded amid dangerous conditions. Between 3 and 6 feet of snow had fallen since Sunday, accompanied by gale-force winds and unstable snowpack. Crews used a snowcat to approach within two miles of the survivors before carefully skiing the remainder of the distance to avoid triggering additional slides.
All skiers were equipped with avalanche transceivers, which helped rescuers locate them. At least one guide was able to send text messages after the avalanche. It remains unclear whether the group had inflatable avalanche air bags, devices designed to help victims stay near the snow’s surface.
Authorities later transitioned from rescue to recovery as hopes faded for additional survivors.
Avalanche Warnings Were Issued
The Sierra Avalanche Center issued an avalanche watch early Sunday morning, warning that large avalanches were likely over the following 24 to 48 hours. Hours before the slide, the center escalated the alert to a full avalanche warning, indicating slides were expected.
It remains unclear whether the guides leading the trip were aware of the upgraded warning before departing the backcountry.
Nevada County Sheriff Shannan Moon said investigators will examine the decision to proceed with the expedition given the forecasted storm and avalanche risk.
The Victims
The group consisted of men and women between the ages of 30 and 55. Authorities have not yet released their names, allowing time for families to be notified.
Some of those killed were connected to Sugar Bowl Academy, a private ski and snowboard boarding school located on Donner Summit. The academy confirmed the loss but did not specify the nature of the victims’ affiliations.
The tour was organized by Blackbird Mountain Guides, a company offering backcountry trips for intermediate-to-expert skiers. Originally believed to include 16 people, officials clarified that 15 participated after one skier withdrew at the last minute.
The group had spent two nights in huts near Frog Lake, in terrain known for steep cliffs and heavy snowfall. The region near Donner Summit averages nearly 35 feet of snow annually and was closed to public access for decades before reopening in 2020 through the efforts of the Truckee Donner Land Trust.
A Historic Tragedy
The avalanche ranks as the deadliest in the U.S. since 1981, when 11 climbers were killed on Mount Rainier in Washington state. On average, 25 to 30 people die in avalanches across the country each winter, according to the National Avalanche Center.
This was the second deadly avalanche near Castle Peak in California this year, following a January incident that killed a snowmobiler.
International and Historical Context
Donner Summit carries its own historical weight. The area is named after the Donner Party, a group of 19th-century pioneers trapped there during the winter of 1846-1847. The harsh conditions and isolation they endured became one of the most infamous survival stories in American history.
Now, nearly two centuries later, the region’s unforgiving winter environment has again proven deadly.
Continuing Search and Recovery
Authorities are continuing efforts to locate the missing skier while monitoring the unstable snowpack. Recovery crews have not yet been able to remove the victims from the mountain due to ongoing avalanche danger.
Sheriff Moon described the emotional toll on families as profound.
“They’re still reeling,” she said. “I could not imagine what they’re going through.”
As investigators examine weather forecasts, decision-making, and equipment use, the tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the risks inherent in backcountry skiing — particularly during powerful winter storms.
The focus now remains on bringing the victims home and providing answers to grieving families, as one of the most severe avalanche disasters in modern U.S. history unfolds in the snowy peaks above Lake Tahoe.
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