Deadly Lake Tahoe Avalanche Leaves Eight Skiers Dead

What began as a three-day backcountry ski adventure in the Sierra Nevada ended in tragedy this week after a massive Lake Tahoe avalanche buried a group of skiers under feet of snow.

Authorities confirmed Wednesday that eight skiers have been found dead and one remains missing following the avalanche near Castle Peak, close to Donner Summit. The Lake Tahoe avalanche is now the deadliest in the United States since 1981.

Nevada County Sheriff Shannan Moon announced that the mission had shifted from rescue to recovery after search teams located multiple victims.

“They were on their way back to camp when the avalanche actually hit,” Moon said during a press conference. Harsh conditions complicated the effort. She described the weather as “extreme,” citing heavy snowfall, gale-force winds, and near-zero visibility.

Search and rescue teams responded after a 911 call reported that 15 skiers had been buried in the Lake Tahoe avalanche. Six survivors were located Tuesday night after hours of digging through deep snow. According to officials, those survivors used backcountry safety equipment to create air pockets and shelter themselves while waiting for help.

The survivors were also able to identify three deceased members of the group.

The Lake Tahoe avalanche marks the deadliest U.S. avalanche since 1981, when 11 climbers were killed on Mount Rainier in Washington. While avalanches occur every year in the western United States, fatalities on this scale are rare.

According to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center, avalanches kill an average of 25 to 30 people annually in the U.S. However, incidents involving large guided groups in a single slide are far less common.

The Sierra Nevada, particularly near Donner Summit, is among the snowiest regions in the Western Hemisphere. In some years, snowfall exceeds 600 inches. This week’s powerful winter storm dumped significant new snow on top of unstable layers, increasing avalanche risk dramatically.

Officials noted that heavy snow and the continued threat of additional slides slowed search operations.

Dan O’Keefe, chief of law enforcement at the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, emphasized that most of the rescuers were volunteers.

• Many purchased their own specialized equipment.

• They trained on personal time.

• They navigated blizzard conditions to reach the victims.

“The vast majority of these individuals are volunteers,” O’Keefe said, highlighting the dedication required to operate in such hazardous terrain.

The Castle Peak area had been closed to the public for nearly a century before reopening just a few years ago, making it a popular destination for experienced backcountry skiers.

Blackbird Mountain Guides, the outfitter that alerted authorities, said the group including four guides was returning to the trailhead when the Lake Tahoe avalanche struck. The company stated it is cooperating fully with authorities.

Avalanche safety experts stress that backcountry skiing requires specialized training, avalanche beacons, probes, and shovels. Even with proper precautions, conditions can change rapidly during major winter storms.

The National Avalanche Center tracks hundreds of avalanches annually across the West. Sudden heavy snowfall combined with strong winds can create unstable snowpack layers prone to catastrophic collapse.

As recovery crews continue searching for the missing skier, the Lake Tahoe avalanche stands as a sobering reminder of nature’s power in the high Sierra.

Authorities have not yet released the names of the deceased pending family notifications.

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