A devastating avalanche claimed eight lives near Lake Tahoe on Tuesday morning during a backcountry skiing expedition. One individual remains missing but is presumed dead, according to authorities.

The incident marks the deadliest avalanche in the United States since 1981, when 11 climbers perished on Mount Rainier in Washington. Nevada County Sheriff Shannan Moon confirmed that skiers were returning to camp when the avalanche struck at approximately 11:30 a.m. Tuesday after they had left backcountry huts near Frog Lake. Search and rescue crews spent hours locating survivors before finding them buried in snow later that night.

The avalanche, described as roughly a football field in length, occurred during a severe storm that dumped more than 30 inches of snow within 24 hours. Survivors—comprising one guide and five clients—used emergency satellite messaging to signal for help, which proved critical to their rescue. Placer County Sheriff Wayne Woo emphasized the ongoing challenge, noting that recovery efforts face high avalanche risks and require patience: “We want to really make sure our first response responders are safe,” he stated.

Most search teams consist of volunteers who often purchase their own equipment and train independently, a practice highlighted by Dan O’Keefe, chief of law enforcement at the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services. The affected area near Donner Summit is among the snowiest regions in the Western Hemisphere, having been closed to the public for nearly a century before recent reopenings. As crews work through harsh conditions, officials stress that full recovery efforts will take time and favorable weather conditions.