Eight Skiers Killed in Backcountry Avalanche Near Lake Tahoe

Eight skiers are dead and another is still missing after a devastating avalanche struck the mountains near Lake Tahoe.

Located between California and Nevada, Lake Tahoe stands as one of the most beautiful lakes in the United States due to its incredibly clear, blue waters, and the mountains surrounding the lake are some of the nation's best for skiing. Lake-level towns receive annual snowfall of around 200 inches, but ski resorts in the nearby Sierra Nevada mountains usually receive between 300 and 500 inches per year.

However, the large amounts of snow that can fall within days – or even hours – poses a significant avalanche threat to backcountry skiers, with even the slightest movement or loud sound triggering a massive wave of snow.

On Tuesday, a blizzard was moving through the region, dropping heavy snow across the Sierra Nevada mountains, but many skiers were out taking advantage of the fresh powder. Around 11:30 am, an avalanche was reported near Castle Peak, around 20 miles away from Lake Tahoe.

Search-and-rescue teams were quickly deployed to handle the situation, managing to rescue six skiers. A total of 15 skiers were caught in the avalanche– unfortunately, eight were confirmed dead, and the final skier is still missing but presumed dead.

After a further investigation, police found that the skiers had been taken into the backcountry by Blackbird Mountain Guides, a local company, and were returning from a three-day trip at the nearby Frog Lake. Of the 15 skiers, four were certified guides and the remaining 11 were clients of the company– three guides and six clients were killed.

In total, the incident clearly highlights the dangers of backcountry skiing, having been the fourth-deadliest avalanche in US history and California's deadliest-ever.

Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): Michael Jackson’s iconic shiny glove was actually just a modified golf glove bought from a regular store.

Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): Ride as much or as little, as long or as short as you feel. But ride. (Eddy Merckx)

Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Goldilocks (adj, GOHL-dee-lahks) - Goldilocks describes something that has or produces an optimal balance usually between two extremes. In astronomy, it specifically designates an area of planetary orbit neither too hot nor too cold to support life.

In a Sentence: The couple, undecided between country and city living, took the Goldilocks option and moved to a bustling college town surrounded by nature.

Image credit to AP