Ski Group Caught in California Winter Storm...Avalanche Leaves 8 Dead, 1 Missing

Missing Skier Also Presumed Dead

Amid ongoing winter storms in California, eight members of a ski tour group have been killed in an avalanche and one person remains missing.

"Our deepest condolences to the bereaved families"...ski group killed

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According to AP and the BBC on the 18th (local time), the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office in California announced that eight participants in a ski trip had been found dead after being swept away by an avalanche in the Castle Peak area near Lake Tahoe in the northern part of the state. One person is still missing, and a rescue team of about 40 members is continuing the search. However, the sheriff’s office has notified the family that it has "transitioned the operation from a rescue mission to a recovery mission," effectively indicating that the missing person is presumed dead.

Authorities also revealed that one of the deceased was the spouse of a member of the rescue team. Because of this, they said the operation has become "an extremely emotionally difficult situation." Wayne Woo, the Placer County Sheriff, said, "We extend our deepest condolences to the bereaved families during this very difficult time." The bodies of the eight victims remain buried under the snow due to heavy snowfall and severe weather, and have not yet been recovered or transported because of the risk of additional avalanches and worsening conditions. Authorities described the scene as "truly horrific."

Trip went ahead despite severe weather forecast...authorities to investigate

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The accident occurred as a winter storm pounded California and an avalanche warning was in effect. The group, consisting of a total of 15 people - four ski guides and 11 clients - had set out on a backcountry ski trip when tragedy struck. Six of them were rescued the previous day, and two of those rescued were injured and immediately transported to a hospital. Authorities initially announced that there had been 16 participants, but later corrected this after confirming that one person had not actually joined the trip.

Blackbird Mountain Guides, the tour operator that organized the ski trip, explained that the group was on its way back to base after completing its itinerary when the accident occurred. The sheriff’s office said it plans to investigate the decision to proceed with the trip despite the severe weather forecast.

Meanwhile, since the winter storm that began on the 15th, different parts of California have been hit by heavy rain and snow. The Sierra Avalanche Center, which has jurisdiction over the accident area, warned that the avalanche risk remains high and advised people to avoid entering the region. As a result of this storm, several highways, including Interstate 80 and Interstate 50, have been closed.