A search operation is currently underway for nine skiers who went missing after an avalanche struck the Castle Peak area of the Sierra Nevada mountains, California, near Lake Tahoe. The avalanche occurred around 11:30 AM on a Tuesday and involved a group of backcountry skiers that included four guides and eleven clients, highlighting the dangers of winter sports in mountainous regions. The Nevada County Sheriff's Office reported that, although rescue efforts were complicated by severe weather conditions, six individuals were successfully rescued after taking refuge in a makeshift shelter.

The rescued skiers communicated with authorities using a radio beacon and text messaging, which facilitated their extraction by emergency personnel. Following their rescue, the skiers were medically assessed, with two being transported to a hospital for treatment pertaining to their injuries. As the search continues for the nine skiers still unaccounted for, weather conditions remain a significant factor in the ongoing rescue efforts, as safety concerns must be prioritized amidst the treacherous landscape.

This situation underscores the inherent risks of skiing in backcountry areas, particularly after extreme weather events, and may prompt discussions on safety protocols and regulatory measures to protect skiers and guide services in similar regions. With the search ongoing, families and friends of those missing await updates, and the local community remains alert to the developments as authorities strive to locate the missing individuals.