How dangerous is extreme backcountry skiing — and when does the pursuit of adventure cross into unnecessary risk?
Those questions are at the center of adeadly avalanche in the Sierra Nevada that left eight backcountry skiers deadand another missing, after a guided tour was caught in treacherous conditions near Castle Peak northwest of Lake Tahoe.
"People go out and use the backcountry at all times," Capt. Russell Green with the Nevada County Sheriff's Office toldKCRATV. "We advise against it honestly, but I wouldn't say that it's uncommon, not that it was a wise choice."
California search and rescue crews on Wednesday recovered the bodies of eight of the nine skiers who were reported missing after an avalanche swept through the area around 11:30 a.m. on Feb. 17. The group of 15 skiers was returning from a three-day backcountry trip to the remote Frog Lake huts when the slide occurred, according to the Nevada County Sheriff's Office.
Six people survived the avalanche — five clients and one guide — with two taken to the hospital for injuries, Sheriff Shannan Moon said during a Wednesday press conference. The group included four guides and 11 clients and was traveling with Truckee-based Blackbird Mountain Guides, officials said.
As rescue operations continue and one skier remains unaccounted for, the tragedy has sparked renewed scrutiny of the risks inherent in backcountry skiing — and whether the decision to proceed with a multi-day tour during extreme avalanche conditions was wise.
What is backcountry skiing?
Inside the search for missing skiers after California avalanche
Simply put, backcountry skiing is when skiers go outside designated trails, also called "off-piste" skiing. According to onetravel websitethat arranges transportation in the French and Swiss Alps, backcountry skiing is "all about exploring the wilderness and skiing on terrain that is not part of the main skiing area."
Backcountry skiing has risen in popularity in recent years as people seek out adventure and an escape from the crowds and bustling ski resorts. The COVID pandemic also reconnected many people to the outdoors.
Oneoutdoor websitecites advances in gear, including lightweight skis, specialized bindings, and boots, as contributing to the popularity of the once-niche pastime.
Backcountry skiing is also inherently risky and challenging, requiring stamina, preparation, and skill. TheAmerican Institute for Avalanche Research & Education (AIARE)offers avalanche hazard management courses that many recreational backcountry skiers take.
Courses provide tools for preparing for, understanding, and managing risk on a backcountry trip. It also covers what to do when avalanches occur.
This adventurous pursuit carries risks, as we have seen with the recent tragic event outside Truckee.The LA Timesreported that at least 234 people in the U.S. have been killed by avalanches in the last decade, half of them skiers in the backcountry.
Where is Frog Lake Hut?
The 15-person group was traveling through the Sierra Nevadaas part of a privately guided tour to the Frog Lake huts near Castle Peak,offered by the Truckee-based company Blackbird Mountain Guides.
The group, which included four guides and 11 clients, was returning from a three-day trip staying at Frog Lake huts near Castle Peak.
The Frog Lake huts are remote structures miles from the Boreal Ski Resort and are in an area known for being prone to avalanches and difficult to reach in winter due to rough conditions, according to the Truckee Donner Land Trust.
All routes to the Frog Lake hut during winter "have some degree of avalanche hazard," according to the Truckee Donner Land Trust.
'Use extra caution': Guide company warned of unstable snow days before avalanche
Days before the deadly avalanche, Blackbird Mountain Guides warned skiers to "use extra caution" in the Tahoe mountains, citing unusually weak and unstable snow conditions following a winter storm.
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In a Feb. 15 social media post, the company said guides found "atypical layering" in the snowpack near Mount Rose, driven by a prolonged dry period and crust formation that created a weak, icy layer across multiple elevations.
"As we move into a large storm cycle this week, pay close attention," the post read. "Avalanches could behave abnormally, and the hazard could last longer than normal."
After the avalanche, the company faced swift public backlash for proceeding with a multi-day backcountry tour despite those warnings.
"So you're acknowledging how weak the snow was, but still took all those people out?" one commenter wrote on the company's social media page. "You addressed the dangerous conditions and decided to ignore it for this tour?"
On Feb. 17, Blackbird Mountain Guides said it was working with local law enforcement to assist in the search for missing skiers and directed further questions to authorities.
Related:A visual breakdown of the deadly California avalanche
Nevada County Sheriff Shannan Moon saidduring a press conference on Wednesdaythat officials are reviewing the company's decision to approve the expedition after forecasts warned of extreme conditions.
"Those are decisions the guide company clearly made," Moon said. "We're still in conversations with them about the decision factors."
Authorities confirmed eight of the nine missing skiers were found dead. One skier remains unaccounted for and is presumed dead. Of the six survivors, two were hospitalized with injuries. The group included nine women and six men, authorities said.
How many backcountry skiing tours does Blackbird Mountain Guides offer?
Blackbird Mountain Guidesoffers a range of guided backcountry skiing tours across California, catering to different skill levels and terrain.
According to the company's website, skiers can book private tours to destinations including the Frog Lake huts in North Lake Tahoe, Mammoth and the Eastern Sierra, Mount Rose, Lassen Peak, and other areas throughout the Tahoe mountains.
The company promotes its Frog Lake huts tour as offering "some of the best backcountry skiing terrain in North Lake Tahoe."
Tours typically cost about $1,800 per person and can include groups of up to 20 skiers traveling at elevations between roughly 6,000 and 9,000 feet.
To participate, skiers must have at least "intermediate backcountry experience," defined by the company as proficiency with gear management and skinning, solid transition skills, and more than 20 days of prior backcountry travel.
Each guest is also required to carry standard avalanche safety equipment, including a beacon, shovel, and probe.
As of Feb. 18, authorities had not released the names of the three guides and five skiers who were killed, citing privacy for the victims' families.
Noe Padilla is a Northern California Reporter for USA Today. Contact him atnpadilla@usatodayco.com, follow him on X @1NoePadillaor on Bluesky @noepadilla.bsky.social.Sign up for theTODAY Californian newsletteror follow us on Facebook atTODAY Californian.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Backcountry skiing dangers and safety risks after California avalanche