Rescue teams can barely reach the avalanche zone because more snowfall could bury rescuers too
Nine backcountry skiers remain missing after an avalanche struck California’s Lake Tahoe region near Truckee on Tuesday evening. Six other skiers were rescued after becoming stranded, but worsening weather conditions and ongoing avalanche danger make the search for the missing nine increasingly perilous. Rescue teams describe the situation as a slow, tedious process that prioritizes rescuer safety alongside finding the missing group.
The avalanche was reported around 11:30 p.m. PST in the Castle Peak area, affecting a group that officials initially reported as 16 people total—four guides and 12 clients—though that number was later revised to 15. Of the six rescued skiers, two were hospitalized while the others were directed to shelter in place and protect themselves as best they could in brutal conditions.
Dangerous conditions make rescue efforts nearly impossible
Weather conditions remain genuinely dangerous, with the Sierra Avalanche Center forecasting large avalanches throughout Tuesday night into Wednesday morning. The danger rating sits at four out of five on the official scale, with the center warning that widespread natural avalanche cycles are expected over the next 24 hours and large avalanches may run through forested areas.
Captain Russell Greene of the sheriff’s office told local media that rescue efforts would be a slow, tedious process because high avalanche danger poses direct risk to rescuers themselves. As of late Tuesday, first responders including those on skis were still attempting to reach the avalanche zone. The missing skiers are sheltering under tarpaulin sheets, doing their best to survive in increasingly harsh conditions while rescue teams work toward them.
Multiple rescue teams mobilized despite obstacles
Highly skilled rescue ski teams from two nearby resorts have deployed to assist with the search. Boreal Mountain Ski Resort and Alder Creek Adventure Center sent experts to the area despite extremely difficult conditions. The resort near the accident site reported 30 inches of snowfall in the past 24 hours, creating treacherous terrain that makes ground access nearly impossible.
Approximately 46 emergency responders joined the rescue efforts, representing one of the largest coordinated response teams for the region. Despite this substantial commitment, avalanche danger and weather conditions mean rescue progress will be measured and methodical rather than rapid.
Resorts closed due to dangerous conditions
Boreal Mountain Ski Resort decided to close on Tuesday due to high winds and low visibility, acknowledging that even organized ski operations couldn’t safely proceed. That closure underscores how extreme conditions have become across the region. Several major highways including Interstate 80 and Highway 50 were also closed due to the storm.
Captain Greene acknowledged that it was not uncommon for ski tour companies to take paying customers into backcountry areas during such conditions, but added that such choices seemed unwise given the circumstances. Investigators will examine whether proper safety protocols were followed and whether the decision to proceed was justified.
State officials coordinating response efforts
California Governor Gavin Newsom’s office announced that state authorities are coordinating an all-hands search-and-rescue effort with local emergency teams. The response reflects the severity of the situation and commitment to finding the missing skiers despite extremely difficult circumstances.
The combination of fresh snowfall, high avalanche danger and limited visibility creates a situation where rescue teams must balance speed with safety. Moving too quickly risks triggering additional avalanches that could harm both rescuers and missing skiers. The process will likely extend through Wednesday as conditions gradually improve and rescue teams methodically work toward the avalanche zone.
