Sudden Slide Catches Group Off Guard (Image Credits: S.abcnews.com)
Nevada County, California – Rescue teams braved whiteout conditions and avalanche threats to extract six stranded skiers from a massive snowslide in the Sierra Nevada on Tuesday, as searches pressed on for nine others swept away in the incident.[1][2]
Sudden Slide Catches Group Off Guard
A powerful avalanche slammed into a party of backcountry skiers near Frog Lake huts in the Castle Peak area around 11:30 a.m. Tuesday. The remote site, northwest of Lake Tahoe at roughly 8,200 feet elevation, sits amid rugged Donner Summit terrain known for its steep slopes and heavy snow loads.[3]
The group had based out of the huts since February 15 for a three-day guided trip. They encountered the slide while heading back to the trailhead. Initial reports pegged the total at 16 people – four guides and 12 clients – though officials later revised that figure to 15.[1] Six survived the initial burial or stranding and sheltered under tarps at the site, signaling rescuers with emergency beacons.[2]
Rescuers Push Through Nightmarish Storm
Forty-six first responders mobilized swiftly, including elite ski teams from Boreal Mountain Ski Resort and Tahoe Donner’s Alder Creek Adventure Center. A SnoCat crew also launched from Alder Creek to aid the effort. Conditions proved brutal: gale-force winds whipped fresh snow into blinding whiteouts, with Interstate 80 and Highway 50 shuttered over the pass.[4]
It took hours to reach the survivors due to the high risk of further slides. “Due to extreme weather conditions, it took several hours for rescue personnel to safely reach the skiers and transport them to safety,” the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office reported.[1] The six, suffering varying injuries, received medical checks from Truckee Fire; two required hospital transport. Priority shifted to them before probing deeper for the missing.[2]
Agencies involved included Nevada County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue, Placer County Sheriff’s Office, Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue, Washoe County teams, and Truckee Fire.
- Nevada County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue led coordination.
- Ski resort teams provided specialized backcountry access.
- SnoCat operators navigated deep snow drifts.
- Fire personnel handled on-site triage.
- Multiple counties offered mutual aid.
Storm Fuels Record Avalanche Risk
The Sierra Avalanche Center had issued a stark warning early Tuesday, rating backcountry danger as high through Wednesday morning. Up to three feet of new snow blanketed the region in 36 hours, falling at two to four inches per hour amid relentless winds. “Large avalanches are expected to occur Tuesday, Tuesday night, and into at least early Wednesday morning,” forecasters stated.[4]
Nevada County Sheriff Capt. Russell Greene noted the challenges: “It would be a slow, tedious process to find the missing skiers because of the high avalanche danger posing a risk to rescuers.”[2] The slide measured D2.5 on the scale – capable of burying or killing – in an area prone to natural triggers.
| Timeline | Key Developments |
|---|---|
| 11:30 a.m. Feb. 17 | Avalanche reported near Frog Lake huts.[4] |
| Afternoon | 46 responders deploy amid worsening storm.[5] |
| Evening Feb. 17 | Six survivors rescued; two hospitalized.[1] |
| Feb. 18 | Search for nine continues; warning persists.[2] |
Guides’ Outfit Issues Statement
Blackbird Mountain Guides confirmed the group composition and location. “The leadership team at Blackbird Mountain Guides is working in full coordination with the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office and Nevada County Search and Rescue,” the outfitter said. They stayed in touch with families, providing verified updates.[3]
This marks the second serious incident near Castle Peak this winter; a snowmobiler died in a January avalanche on the mountain’s backside.
Key Takeaways
- Six skiers rescued alive despite extreme risks to crews.
- Nine unaccounted for; no confirmed fatalities yet.
- High avalanche danger lingers through Wednesday.
As blizzard conditions eased slightly Wednesday, renewed searches offered hope, but the Sierra’s volatile snowpack demanded caution. Officials urged backcountry users to heed warnings and carry beacons. What are your thoughts on backcountry safety this season? Share in the comments.
