SUMMARY
- Ten skiers missing after avalanche near Lake Tahoe in high risk backcountry terrain
- Blizzard conditions and low visibility complicate rescue efforts
- Avalanche warning in effect across the Sierra Nevada region
TRUCKEE, Calif. — Ten skiers remain missing after an avalanche struck the Castle Peak backcountry near Lake Tahoe late Tuesday morning, authorities said, as blizzard conditions hampered rescue operations in the Sierra Nevada.
The avalanche was reported at about 11:30 a.m. near Castle Peak outside Truckee, according to the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office.
The skiers were part of a 16-person guided group that included four professional guides. Six survivors sheltered in place and were awaiting rescue as of late afternoon, officials said.
The incident underscores escalating avalanche danger following heavy snowfall in the Lake Tahoe region. Authorities said 46 first responders from multiple agencies were involved in the search, including specialized ski teams and SnoCat operators.
The Sierra Avalanche Center issued a high avalanche danger warning effective from 5 a.m. Tuesday through at least early Wednesday, citing unstable snowpack and expected large natural avalanches.
Castle Peak sits along a popular backcountry corridor north of Truckee and near Lake Tahoe, an area that has seen increased winter recreation traffic in recent years.
According to regional tourism data, winter visitation to the Tahoe basin has risen steadily over the past decade, increasing pressure on ungroomed terrain.
Data compiled from regional avalanche reporting centers show a rise in both snowfall totals and reported avalanche activity over recent seasons.
Capt. Russell Greene of the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office said some survivors took shelter under trees using a tarp.
“They are doing their best to create some structure and get out of the elements,” Greene said.
The Boreal Mountain Resort reported 30 inches of snowfall in the previous 24 hours and suspended operations Tuesday.
John Rice, lead forecaster at the Sierra Avalanche Center, said rapid snow loading combined with wind created “extremely fragile slab conditions.”
Kathryn Hennessy, a snow science researcher at the University of Nevada, Reno, said intense atmospheric river systems have increased variability in Sierra snowpack stability.
Rescue teams from Nevada and Placer counties remained on scene Tuesday evening. Authorities have not released the identities of the missing skiers.
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