Emergency crews are responding to a reported avalanche in the Castle Peak area of Nevada County, where several backcountry skiers are possibly missing.
The Nevada County Sheriff’s Office said the avalanche report came in around 11:30 a.m. Tuesday amid a powerful winter storm impacting the Sierra. A group of backcountry skiers was reportedly involved in the slide, though authorities have not confirmed how many people remain unaccounted for.
The sheriff’s office, along with the Nevada County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team and allied agencies, is actively responding to the scene.
The avalanche occurred during a heavy snowstorm that prompted the closure of Interstate 80 from Colfax to the Nevada state line and Highway 50 at the summit. Blizzard conditions, strong winds, and low visibility have created dangerous travel and recreation conditions throughout the region.
An Avalanche Warning remains in effect for the Central Sierra Nevada through Tuesday, according to the Sierra Avalanche Center. Avalanche danger is rated “high” at all elevations, both below and above the treeline.
Extreme weather conditions have also forced some ski resorts to suspend operations. Boreal Mountain Resort announced it closed for the day due to high winds and zero visibility.
Castle Peak is about 40 miles west of Reno near Donner Lake. On Jan. 5, a snowmobiler died in an avalanche near Johnson Canyon and Castle Peak. The victim was 42-year-old Chris Scott Thomason of Bend, Oregon.
Authorities have not yet released additional details about Tuesday’s incident. Search efforts remain ongoing.
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