Six skiers have been located alive following an avalanche in the Castle Peak area of Northern California, while search and rescue efforts continue for ten individuals who remain unaccounted for. The emergency services responded promptly after a call was made to report the incident, which involved people buried in the snow. This avalanche occurred on a day when dangerous conditions were present due to a powerful winter storm affecting the region.

The Nevada County Sheriff's Office received the emergency call at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, prompting a coordinated response from local police, rescue teams, and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Rescuers worked diligently in treacherous conditions created by recent heavy snowfall and strong winds, and they utilized specialized equipment and dogs trained for avalanche rescues in their search efforts.

California is currently experiencing severe winter weather, with forecasts predicting further substantial snow accumulation in the Sierra Nevada region, potentially reaching over 2.4 meters. The Sierra Avalanche Center had already warned of heightened avalanche risks for the area, making skiing in these backcountry areas particularly hazardous and impacting not just the skiing community, but regional safety protocols as well.