Avalanche in Lake Tahoe Kills Eight Skiers; Search Continues for One More

LAKE TAHOE, Calif. — Rescue crews have recovered the bodies of eight skiers killed in a powerful avalanche near Lake Tahoe, authorities said Thursday, as search efforts continued for a ninth person believed to be buried under deep snow.

The avalanche struck a popular backcountry area on the California side of the Sierra Nevada following days of heavy snowfall and high winds that created unstable conditions across the region, officials said. Emergency responders were dispatched after reports that multiple skiers had been caught in a large slide.

Placer County Sheriff’s officials said search teams using avalanche dogs, probes and electronic transceivers located eight victims. Their identities were being withheld pending notification of relatives.

Crews continued working in hazardous conditions to find a ninth missing skier, authorities said. The search effort included members of regional search-and-rescue units, ski patrol teams and volunteers trained in avalanche response.

“This is an active and ongoing operation,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement. “Safety remains our top priority as teams navigate challenging terrain and the continued risk of additional slides.”

Heavy snow is believed to have contributed to the sudden avalanche (Image: AP)

Meteorologists said a series of winter storms had dropped several feet of snow across the Sierra Nevada in recent days. Fluctuating temperatures and strong winds contributed to weak layers within the snowpack, increasing avalanche danger in steep backcountry terrain.

The area where the avalanche occurred is known for attracting experienced skiers seeking ungroomed runs outside resort boundaries. Authorities urged outdoor enthusiasts to check avalanche forecasts, carry proper safety equipment and travel with trained partners when venturing into backcountry zones.

Six skiers were rescued yesterday (Image: Nevada County Sheriff's Office/A)

The National Weather Service had issued advisories warning of heightened avalanche risk throughout the region earlier this week.

Avalanches can occur when accumulated snow becomes unstable and breaks loose, often triggered by new snowfall, wind loading or the weight of a skier. Experts recommend carrying avalanche beacons, shovels and probes and taking safety courses before entering uncontrolled terrain.

Officials said the search for the missing skier would continue as weather and safety conditions allow.