Eight skiers found dead as search continues after California avalanche

Rescuers were searching for skiers who were hit by an avalanche in the mountains of California, where a huge storm has dumped several feet of snow. Photo / Handout, Nevada County Sheriff's Office, AFP

Eight backcountry skiers have been found dead, as a significant rescue effort continues for one still missing near Truckee, California, following an avalanche in the area, according to the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office.

With eight people confirmed killed by the massive snow slide – described as the length of a football field – it is now the deadliest avalanche in modern California history. It surpasses the toll of seven killed in a March 1982 avalanche at the Alpine Meadows – now Palisades Tahoe – ski resort, in the same general region.

Nevada County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that six survivors from a 15-person group had been located and were being transported by rescue teams to receive medical care, but conditions continued to be a challenge for rescuers.

“There is limited access to the area affected by the avalanche,” Leslie Williams of the sheriff’s office said.

Officials initially believed there were 16 people in the skiing group, but that number was later revised to reflect 15 people who actually went on the trip, the sheriff’s office said in an update. The office reported there were nine women and six men in the group.

Captain Rusty Greene of the Nevada County Sheriff’s Department said the bodies of the skiers have not been removed because of ongoing bad weather and additional avalanche threats.

“The longer that we continue to have people out there and exposed, the higher chance we put our rescuers in danger,” Greene said.

At least 46 emergency first responders were involved in the rescue effort in the Castle Peak area of Truckee, around 10 miles north of Lake Tahoe.

In a statement, Blackbird Mountain Guides, a touring company that organises backcountry expeditions, said the ski group included 12 clients and four guides. “The group was in the process of returning to the trailhead at the conclusion of a three-day trip when the incident occurred,” it said. In a subsequent update, the company said it was fully engaged in assisting with any rescue efforts.

The west US is being hit by a barrage of powerful storms, with total snowfall expected to reach several feet across the Sierra Nevada in coming days. Winter storm and avalanche warnings are also in effect.

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