Intense Operation Underway for Nine Missing Skiers Following California Avalanche

The tour company responsible for organizing the backcountry skiing expedition that encountered an avalanche in California had issued a caution about worsening weather conditions just 48 hours prior to the storm’s arrival.

A ski guide from Blackbird Mountain Guides, based at Mt. Rose—the highest peak in Tahoe—reported on Sunday the presence of ‘atypical layering’ in the snowpack. This observation was shared on the company’s Facebook page.

The guide noted that a prolonged dry spell over the past two months contributed significantly to these unusual snow conditions.

On late Tuesday morning, a group of 15 skiers was traversing Castle Peak near Lake Tahoe when they were caught in an avalanche triggered by a powerful storm that brought heavy snowfall.

Amid blizzard conditions, some skiers had to take refuge under a temporary shelter made with a tarp while rescue teams worked tirelessly to reach them, according to reports from the California Post.

Six skiers had been rescued ‘with varying injuries’ Tuesday evening, the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office said, though mountain rescue teams battling treacherous conditions were still trying to find the others as snow fell and daylight faded.

Two of the rescued skiers were taken to a hospital for treatment.

Authorities previously said 16 people – four guides and 12 clients – were on the trip, before revising that number down to 15.

Blackbird Mountain Guides, the tour company responsible for the tour, is ‘working in full coordination’ with authorities to support the rescue mission, the firm said in a statement.

Six skiers had been rescued ‘with varying injuries’ Tuesday evening

A huge storm dumped heavy snow on the mountains near Lake Tahoe on Tuesday

The company revealed that skiers were in the process of returning to the trailhead at the end of a three-day trip when the avalanche struck.

‘Blackbird Mountain Guides is in direct contact with the emergency contacts of the affected clients and guides and is providing them with regular updates as verified information becomes available,’ the statement added. 

But skiers in the area have hit back at the company, claiming that the tour group should never have let skiers up the mountain in the first place.

‘I was at Frog Lake from Thursday to Sunday but we got out before the storm moved in,’ he told the Post. ‘Absolutely a preventable tragedy is all I will say about it.’ 

Another skier accused the ski guides of making a ‘bad call’ and questioned why they ever took the group up the mountains in such poor conditions.

The group had been staying at the Frog Lake Backcountry Huts, a collection of remote cabins near the Castle Peak.

Officials had said 46 emergency first responders were involved in the search, including ‘highly skilled rescue ski teams’ from both Boreal Mountain Ski Resort and Tahoe Donner’s Alder Creek Adventure Center, who were dispatched to rescue the six known survivors.

Shopping carts were buried when a snow storm struck the Sierra Nevada mountain range area on Tuesday

A powerful storm packing several feet of snow continued to pummel the Sierra Nevada mountain range throughout the day, with forecasters warning of white-out conditions

A powerful storm packing several feet of snow continued to pummel the Sierra Nevada mountain range throughout the day, with forecasters warning of white-out conditions.

Experts had warned that the risk of avalanches was expected to extend into Wednesday.

‘HIGH avalanche danger exists in the backcountry. Large avalanches are expected to occur Tuesday, Tuesday night, and into at least early Wednesday morning across backcountry terrain,’ the Sierra Avalanche Center said.

‘HIGH avalanche danger might continue through the day on Wednesday.’

The National Weather Service said parts of the Sierra above 3,500 feet could see up to eight feet of snow over the next 48 hours, with gusts of wind as strong as 55 miles per hour.

Sheriff’s office Captain Russell Green told local media station KCRA that officials discourage people from backcountry skiing.

‘People go out and use the backcountry at all times,’ Green said. ‘We advise against it, obviously, but I wouldn’t say that it’s uncommon. Not that it was a wise choice.’

The Colorado Avalanche Information Center has tallied six US avalanche fatalities so far this season, including one in Castle Peak in January.

This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates.