Nine skiers missing, 6 trapped after north California mountains avalanche

Rescuers battle blizzard to save six skiers found trapped after Avalanche in the Sierra Nevada mountains in the western US.Published On 18 Feb 2026Rescue teams pushed through fierce blizzard conditions to reach six skiers trapped following a major Avalanche in the rugged Sierra Nevada mountains in California in the western United States.Nine other skiers from the same group were missing, while the threat of more avalanches remained high in the mountain range in northern California amid a powerful winter storm, the Nevada County sheriff’s office said on Tuesday.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3UN panel says Epstein abuses may constitute ‘crimes against humanity’list 2 of 3Stephen Colbert says CBS pulled interview with Texas Democratic candidatelist 3 of 3Police arrest man with shotgun running towards US Capitol buildingend of list“It’s going to be a slow, tedious process because they also have to be very careful accessing the area due to the fact that the Avalanche danger is still very high,” Captain Russell Greene of the sheriff’s office said.Rescue teams have yet to reach the Avalanche site, he said.The stricken group consisted of ski guides and clients. At least six survived the Avalanche and remain at the site awaiting rescue, while the others were unaccounted for, the sheriff’s office said in a statement.The sheriff’s office said Tuesday night that there were 15 skiers on the trip — not 16 as initially believed.Greene said authorities learned of the Avalanche through notifications from the ski tour company guiding the group, as well as activations from the emergency beacons carried by the skiers themselves.Members of a rescue team in Soda Springs, California, on Tuesday [Handout/Nevada County Sheriff’s Office via AP]Speaking to a local television station, Greene noted that the six survivors were in contact with officials via their beacons, which allow for text messaging.“They are doing the best they can,” he said.