Bold takeaway: A powerful winter storm in Northern California has left six backcountry skiers alive but trapped, while another ten remain missing, as rescuers push through blizzard conditions to reach them. And this is the part many readers miss: the danger isn't over until everyone is accounted for, because avalanches can shift or trigger anew at any moment.
Rescue teams on skis and snowcats are battling dangerous blizzard conditions high in the Northern California mountains to reach the six trapped backcountry skiers after an avalanche struck. Ten other skiers remain unaccounted for, underscoring the ongoing severity of the situation.
The operation began after a 911 call reported an avalanche near Frog Lake in the Castle Peak area, northwest of Lake Tahoe, as a strong winter storm swept across the state. Nevada County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Ashley Quadros said rescuers had located the six skiers and advised them to shelter in place as best they could until help arrives.
Steve Reynaud, a Tahoe National Forest avalanche forecaster with the Sierra Avalanche Centre, explained that the six were on the final day of a three-day backcountry trip. They had spent two nights in huts and were navigating rugged mountain terrain on backcountry skis, with a plan that included carrying all necessary food and supplies for up to 6.4 kilometers of travel.
Authorities learned of the avalanche through the ski tour operator and via emergency beacon signals carried by the skiers. Capt. Russell Greene noted the skiers remain in contact through those beacons, which can send text messages. He described the survivors as sheltering under a tarp and using a makeshift shelter while they wait for rescue.
Responders are proceeding cautiously to minimize further avalanche risk. The team has deployed snowcats and snowmobiles, and some rescuers are on skis, reflecting a multi-pronged approach to reach the group. Officials warned that the process would be slow and painstaking due to hazardous conditions.
Safety remains the top priority as the weather continues to be extreme in the backcountry. Tahoe National Forest’s lead avalanche forecaster Brandon Schwartz emphasized that the risk is especially high during the height of this storm, with the Central Sierra Nevada area under an avalanche warning beginning at 5 a.m. local time on Tuesday and extending into Wednesday.
The severe conditions stem from rapid snowfall accumulating on a fragile snowpack, driven by gale-force winds. Several Lake Tahoe-area ski resorts have closed either fully or partially, while avalanche mitigation programs at highway-adjacent resorts help reduce risk near easier access routes. Backcountry travel, however, is strongly discouraged.
Castle Peak, rising to 2,777 meters in the Donner Summit area of the Sierra Nevada, is a popular but perilous backcountry destination. Donner Summit’s history—famed for the 1846-47 Donner Party tragedy—serves as a grim reminder of the mountains’ dangers in severe conditions.
Forecasters expect the storm to deliver substantial snowfall, with estimates of 2–3 meters possible before it moves through late Wednesday. Soda Springs reports at least 76 centimeters of snow in the past 24 hours, and the western Sierra Nevada and nearby I-5 corridor could see up to 2.4 meters more snow as the system winds down.
This week’s weather has disrupted roadways from Sonoma County to the Sierra Nevada, with temporary halts on I-80 due to spinouts and crashes. In the broader context, avalanches claim lives each winter in the United States—roughly 25 to 30 fatalities annually according to the National Avalanche Centre.
If you’re venturing into backcountry terrain, training in avalanche assessment and rescue, plus carrying proper safety gear, is essential. The current storm serves as a stark reminder that even experienced skiers can be caught off guard by shifting snow conditions.
Would you support stricter backcountry guidelines, or do you believe responsible planning and equipment are enough to ensure safety in such storms? Share your thoughts in the comments.
