tahoe avalanche kills eight, one missing and presumed dead as rescue teams pull back amid storms
At least eight backcountry skiers were killed in a powerful avalanche north of Lake Tahoe after a major winter storm dumped feet of fresh, unstable snow. One person remains unaccounted for and is presumed deceased, while search and rescue crews paused recovery operations until conditions improve.
Deadly backcountry run and storm conditions
What began as a guided backcountry outing turned catastrophic when the group encountered avalanche-prone slopes during a blinding blizzard. The excursion left 15 people in the field; by Wednesday morning ET, officials had confirmed eight fatalities and said one person remained missing and presumed dead. If that individual is ultimately located and confirmed deceased, the total would rise further.
The region had been hit by the largest winter storm of the season. From Sunday through mid-morning Wednesday ET, snowfall totals near Lake Tahoe were widespread and extreme: up to 68 inches was recorded in the Homewood area, 57 inches at Northstar, 67 inches at a Sierra snow laboratory, and about 62 inches in the Tahoe Donner vicinity. Additional snow was forecast, with 1 to 5 inches expected in lower elevation areas overnight and the potential for up to 14 inches at elevations above 7, 000 feet later in the week. Forecasters had warned of unstable layers and heightened avalanche risk as the storm progressed.
Search and recovery challenges
harsh terrain and continuing severe weather have limited recovery efforts. Rescuers were pulled from the scene until it is safe to return, leaving the bodies of those killed unrecovered for the time being. Nevada County Sheriff Shannan Moon addressed the difficulty of the situation and emphasized safety: "We can have all the resources we want, but if it’s not safe to get to that location we really have to make sure that we’re making the right decisions. " She noted that decisions about when and how to re-enter the area hinge on improving conditions and ensuring crews are not placed at further risk.
Authorities have not yet released the identities of the deceased or of the person still missing. The group had been attempting to move out of a remote area near backcountry huts when the avalanche struck. Investigators and mountain rescue teams will piece together the sequence of events once weather and avalanche conditions allow for a thorough on-site review.
Broader implications and safety reminders
The incident has renewed warnings about the perilous nature of backcountry travel during and immediately after major storms. Large storm cycles can rapidly load slopes with new snow on weak layers underneath, creating dangerous avalanche conditions even for experienced parties. Public-safety officials urge that those who venture into the backcountry carry avalanche safety gear, be trained in companion rescue techniques, check current avalanche forecasts and weather bulletins, and exercise caution when travel is discretionary.
As the region braces for additional snowfall later in the week ET, local emergency teams and mountain rescue organizations will continue to monitor conditions and plan a safe return to the crash site for full recovery and investigation work once it is feasible. The tragic event stands as a stark reminder of how quickly conditions can turn deadly in alpine terrain during major winter storms.
