TRUCKEE, CA – A group of 16 backcountry skiers was engulfed by a massive avalanche at approximately 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday. The Nevada County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the group included four professional ski guides and 12 clients.
While six individuals survived the initial slide and remain at the site awaiting extraction, 10 members of the party are unaccounted for. If the missing are not found alive, this event could become one of the deadliest single avalanche incidents in United States history.
High-Risk Conditions and Rescue Efforts
The Sierra Avalanche Center had issued a “high avalanche danger” warning before dawn on Tuesday, citing unstable snowpacks following a significant winter storm. Despite the warnings, the group was in the Castle Peak area when the slope gave way.
Current Rescue Status:
- Personnel: Dozens of emergency responders, including elite ski rescue teams from Boreal Mountain Resort and Tahoe Donner, have arrived at the scene.
- Hazard Level: Rescuers are facing extreme risks, with authorities warning that additional slides are “highly expected” throughout Tuesday night and into Wednesday.
- State Response: Governor Gavin Newsom’s office announced on X (formerly Twitter) that the state is coordinating an “all-hands search-and-rescue effort” with local teams.
A Deadly Season in Perspective
The tragedy comes during a winter that has already seen six avalanche fatalities in the U.S., according to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center. On average, avalanches claim 27 lives annually in the U.S., but a double-digit death toll from a single event is exceedingly rare.
The Sierra Nevada remains under a winter storm warning, with heavy snow and gale-force winds forecast to continue through the next 24 hours, making aerial reconnaissance nearly impossible.