As search for Tahoe skiers continues, some wonder why they were in the backcountry in a blizzard

As desperate friends and family await word on the fate of nine backcountry skiers who went missing in an avalanche just north of Lake Tahoe on Tuesday, others are wondering why they were out in a raging blizzard in the first place.

The storm, which dumped several feet of fresh, unstable snow in the high Sierra in recent days — shutting down freeways and commercial ski resorts — had been forecast nearly a week ago.

Nevertheless, the group of 15 — including four professional ski guides and their clients — headed out on Sunday for a three-day backcountry adventure at the popular but remote Frog Lake huts.

On Tuesday, as the group was making the perilous journey back from the huts through a raging storm, an avalanche struck, according to the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office.

After a massive search effort involving dozens of first responders, six of the skiers were rescued with “varying injuries” Tuesday evening, the sheriff’s office posted on Facebook. Two were transported to the hospital.

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-02-18/as-desperate-search-for-avalanche-victims-continues-why-they-were-skiing-backcountry-in-blizzard