All nine missing skiers have been found dead following a catastrophic backcountry avalanche near Castle Peak in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains, authorities confirmed. The Nevada County Sheriff’s Office said recovery teams located the victims over two days after the Feb. 17 slide, which is now under investigation for possible criminal negligence.
Sheriff Shannan Moon said officials are still determining what decisions were made before the avalanche, which occurred during the final day of a three-day ski tour. The slide happened amid “high” danger warnings issued by the Sierra Avalanche Center and was classified as a powerful D2.5 avalanche spanning roughly a football field.
Many victims were Marin County parents connected to a nearby ski academy, along with three professional guides from Blackbird Mountain Guides. Six others survived after sheltering for hours in hazardous conditions before being rescued.
A separate workplace safety review has also been opened by the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health. Families of the victims say they still have unanswered questions as investigators work to determine whether negligence contributed to the tragedy.
For more on this tragic story, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.