Some avalanche victims connected to private school for competitive skiers
Feb. 19 (UPI) — Several victims of an avalanche that hit Northern California’s backcountry on Tuesday were connected to a private school for competitive skiers, the institution said.
Officials with Sugar Bowl Academy in Norden, Calif., confirmed Wednesday that multiple victims were either members or had strong connections with the school. They said they would not release the names of the victims and survivors.
“We are an incredibly close and connected community. This tragedy has affected each and every one of us,” Stephen McMahon, executive director of Sugar Bowl Academy, said in a statement.
A group of 15 skiers, including four guides, set off Sunday for a three-day backcountry trip, and were returning amid dangerous conditions Tuesday when they were hit by an avalanche near Castle Peak in California’s mountainous Nevada County at about 11:30 a.m. PST.
Six members of the party became stranded, taking refuge in makeshift shelters. The remaining nine were unaccounted for.
Search teams were deployed, and the six surviving members — one guide and five clients — were rescued late Tuesday, according to authorities, who said the search for those missing would continue.
Authorities earlier Wednesday announced that eight of the unaccounted for had been confirmed dead and one was still missing. The deceased included three professional guides with Blackbird Mountain Guides, and one person was the spouse of a member of a deployed rescue team.
Of the six survivors, three were injured, including two who were unable to walk, authorities added.
The party consisted of nine men and six women whose ages ranged from 30 to 55.
Zeb Blais, founder of Blackbird Mountain Guides, which had organized the expedition, said all guides with the group were trained or certified in backcountry skiing and each was an instructor with the American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education.
“There’s still a lot that we’re learning about what happened,” Blais said in a statement. “It’s too soon to draw conclusions, but investigations are underway.”
Blackbird Mountain Guides has suspended field operations through Sunday at a minimum, according to Blais.
“Our most important focus is on those directly impacted and supporting their needs,” Blais said.
“We ask that people following this tragedy refrain from speculating. We don’t have all the answers yet, and it may be some time before we do. In the meantime, please keep those impacted in your hearts.”