Emergency crews rescued six backcountry skiers Tuesday evening after a powerful avalanche swept through a mountainous area in Northern California,
while at least nine others remained unaccounted for amid dangerous storm conditions.
According to the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office, the survivors were located after several hours of intensive rescue efforts conducted in severe weather.
Authorities reported that the individuals sustained varying degrees of injuries, and two were transported to a hospital for further treatment.
The search operation for the remaining missing skiers continued into the night.
Rescue teams were dispatched to the Frog Lake area near Castle Peak, northwest of Lake Tahoe,
after emergency services received a distress call late Tuesday morning reporting that multiple people had been buried in an avalanche.
Officials said responders faced significant challenges due to blizzard conditions and a high risk of additional slides. Crews utilized snowcats, snowmobiles, and ski patrol teams to navigate the rugged terrain carefully and minimize further danger.
Authorities indicated that the group was participating in a multi-day backcountry skiing excursion in remote mountain terrain, requiring travel across several miles of ungroomed snow and carrying essential supplies.
Communication was maintained through emergency locator devices carried by members of the group.
The incident occurred as a strong winter storm system moved through California,
bringing heavy snowfall, strong winds, and hazardous travel conditions across mountain regions.
Avalanche forecasters had issued warnings for the Central Sierra Nevada,
including areas surrounding Lake Tahoe, citing unstable snowpack and rapid accumulation as key risk factors.
Several ski resorts in the region temporarily suspended operations due to extreme weather.
Experts emphasized that while established resorts conduct avalanche mitigation procedures,
backcountry areas remain significantly more dangerous during major storm cycles.
Castle Peak, rising above the Donner Summit area in the Sierra Nevada, is a well-known destination for experienced backcountry skiers.
The surrounding region has historically experienced severe winter conditions, and officials continue to stress the importance of avalanche training and proper safety equipment for those traveling beyond resort boundaries.
Meteorologists warned that parts of Northern California could receive several additional feet of snowfall before the storm system moves eastward.
Road closures and traffic disruptions were reported across mountain highways as authorities worked to manage hazardous conditions.
Avalanches claim dozens of lives nationwide each winter, according to federal monitoring agencies, underscoring the persistent risks associated with backcountry travel during active storm periods.
Search operations remain ongoing as officials continue efforts to locate those still missing.
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