9 California skiers still missing after avalanche; 6 rescued

Six backcountry skiers survived an avalanche during a fierce snowstorm adjacent Lake Tahoe successful Northern California, but 9 others from their radical stay missing successful treacherous upland conditions.

Two of the rescued skiers were hospitalized for treatment, according to the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office. Officials clarified Tuesday nighttime that the circuit radical consisted of 15 skiers, not 16 arsenic initially reported.

The avalanche struck Tuesday adjacent Frog Lake successful the Castle Peak area, northwest of Lake Tahoe, prompting a 911 telephone reporting aggregate radical buried. Rescue teams navigated rugged terrain and treacherous conditions for respective hours earlier reaching the survivors.

The skiers were connected the last time of a three-day backcountry circuit organized by Blackbird Mountain Guides, officials told The Associated Press. The expedition required traversing up to 4 miles of mountainous terrain portion carrying nutrient and supplies and staying overnight successful distant huts.

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This representation provided by the Nevada County Sheriff's Office shows members of a rescue squad successful Soda Springs, California, connected Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026. (Nevada County Sheriff's Office via AP)

Authorities said exigency beacons carried by the radical helped pinpoint their location. Rescuers approached cautiously amid the hazard of further avalanches.

The incidental comes arsenic a almighty wintertime tempest slams California, dumping dense snowfall and bringing precocious winds crossed the Sierra Nevada. Avalanche warnings were issued crossed the region, with forecasters informing of ample slides done Wednesday.

Pine trees are covered successful snowfall during a tempest connected Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026, successful Truckee, California. (AP Photos/Brooke Hess-Homeier)

Soda Springs, adjacent the avalanche site, recorded much than 30 inches of snowfall successful 24 hours. Rapid snowfall combined with gale-force winds created unstable snowpack conditions.

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The tempest besides caused wide question disruptions. Interstate 80 implicit Donner Summit was temporarily unopen down owed to spinouts and crashes, and respective Tahoe skis resorts closed partially oregon wholly due to the fact that of unsafe weather.

A motion is covered successful snowfall during a tempest connected Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026, successful Truckee, California. (AP Photos/Brooke Hess-Homeier)

Officials said conditions stay particularly hazardous successful the backcountry and urged radical to debar avalanche-prone areas.

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A quality league is expected connected Wednesday greeting with further updates connected the hunt for the missing skiers.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.