SAN FRANCISCO — Amid relentless blizzard conditions, rescue teams are making painstaking efforts to reach six backcountry skiers trapped after an avalanche in Northern California’s mountainous region. The incident occurred Tuesday in the Castle Peak area, northwest of Lake Tahoe, where a winter storm has created hazardous conditions, leading to 10 additional skiers remaining unaccounted for.
Emergency services were alerted shortly after 11:30 a.m. when a call was made to report the avalanche. According to Ashley Quadros, a representative of the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office, rescuers were able to locate the six stranded skiers, who were advised to shelter in place while awaiting assistance. Steve Reynaud, an avalanche forecaster with the Sierra Avalanche Center, noted that these skiers were on the final day of a three-day expedition, having navigated a challenging route over rugged terrain.
The ski tour company, Blackbird Mountain Guides, which led the group, informed authorities of the emergency. Capt. Russell Greene of the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office indicated that the group had emergency beacons that allowed for limited communication with rescue teams. “They have constructed a makeshift shelter with a tarp and are doing everything necessary to remain safe while they wait,” Greene said.
With avalanche risk still high, rescue efforts are progressing cautiously. Greene mentioned that multiple methods of transportation—including snowcats, snowmobiles, and skis—have been deployed to reach the stranded skiers. “It’s going to be a slow, tedious process due to the terrain and weather conditions,” he added.
This week, California is grappling with a severe winter storm marked by heavy snow, strong winds, and treacherous conditions in the mountains. The Sierra Avalanche Center issued an avalanche warning for the Central Sierra Nevada, signaling the potential for large slides through Wednesday. Brandon Schwartz, lead avalanche forecaster at the center, remarked that the current backcountry conditions are particularly dangerous, given the rapid accumulation of snow layered upon fragile snowpacks.
Several ski resorts in the Lake Tahoe area have either partially or completely shut down operations due to the extreme weather. The avalanche mitigation systems in place at resorts make them less vulnerable than the backcountry, where travel is highly discouraged in avalanche-prone areas.
Castle Peak, standing at 9,110 feet, is a favored destination for backcountry skiing but has a notorious history linked to the Donner Party, a group of pioneers who faced starvation and resorted to cannibalism after becoming stranded there in the winter of 1846-1847. The region’s challenging terrain underscores the need for adequate training in avalanche safety and assessment for those seeking adventures beyond resort boundaries.
Reports indicate that upwards of 30 inches of snow fell in the last 24 hours in nearby Soda Springs. Forecasters predict that some areas along the Sierra Nevada could accumulate as much as eight feet of snow before the storm dissipates late Wednesday. The storm has also disrupted travel; traffic on Interstate 80 near the Nevada state line was temporarily halted due to accidents.
Avalanches pose a significant risk each winter, claiming approximately 25 to 30 lives annually in the U.S., according to safety experts. As search and rescue efforts continue under perilous conditions, the focus remains on ensuring the survival and safe extraction of the trapped skiers.