3 days ago
1
The bodies of eight backcountry skiers who died in the largest avalanche in California history Tuesday will not be recovered Thursday due to hazardous weather conditions, officials said.
Recovery operations to extract the group off the mountains are expected to continue into the weekend, according to a social media post from the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office.
One additional skier is missing but presumed deceased.
The nine people were among a group of 15 backcountry skiers on a three-day trip to the Frog Lake Cabins led by Truckee-based outfitter Blackbird Mountain Guides. The group was returning to the trailhead near Castle Peak when the football field-sized avalanche struck. One skier reportedly shouted “Avalanche!” just before the group was overtaken by snow.
Six skiers, including one of the four guides leading the trip, survived. Two were treated at a hospital for non-life threatening injuries they sustained in the avalanche.
Some of those killed in the avalanche have been identified as parents of children in Sugar Bowl’s competitive ski program.
The sheriff’s office added that the identities of the victims will not be confirmed until the bodies have ...
English (US) ·