Authorities have confirmed that six women — all close friends, mothers, and avid ski-touring enthusiasts — were among the nine victims killed in the deadliest avalanche in modern California history. The tragedy unfolded Tuesday during a guided backcountry expedition in the Sierra Nevada mountain range, shocking rescue officials and devastating a tight-knit community of outdoor athletes and families.

The group had set out early in the morning under the supervision of three highly experienced professional mountain guides. According to early reports, conditions had been considered “manageable but sensitive,” with recent snowfall and shifting wind slabs layered across the upper slopes. While the guides had assessed the terrain and planned a conservative route, a massive, fast-moving slab avalanche broke loose shortly before midday.

Witnesses reported hearing a deep, thunder-like crack before thousands of tons of snow tore down the mountain face, engulfing the group within seconds. Six survivors, some injured and in shock, managed to dig themselves out or were freed by fellow skiers who were able to escape the initial slide.

The avalanche was described by officials as one of extraordinary size and force, triggered approximately 300 meters above the group. The moving snow reached speeds estimated at more than 80 miles per hour, sweeping the victims into a narrow drainage where debris accumulated in deep, dense layers.

Search-and-rescue teams were deployed immediately, though poor visibility and unstable secondary slopes slowed initial efforts. Crews worked through the afternoon and evening using avalanche beacons, probing poles, and specialized dogs to locate the buried victims. All nine individuals who perished were found within hours of the avalanche strike.

A TIGHT-KNIT GROUP OF WOMEN

Among the victims were six women aged 32 to 48, all of whom were part of a long-standing friendship circle in Northern California. Described by family and friends as adventurous, deeply connected, and passionate about the outdoors, the group frequently embarked on ski-touring trips together.

Several were mothers of young children, and all were experienced in backcountry travel. They were said to have trained together for years, taking avalanche-safety courses and regularly hiring guides for more technical terrain.

“They were strong, they were skilled, and they were cautious,” one family friend said. “This was not a reckless group. They respected the mountains.”

THE GUIDES WHO LOST THEIR LIVES

The three professional guides who died in the avalanche were members of a well-respected mountaineering organization. Each had years of experience, avalanche-certification credentials, and familiarity with the region’s terrain and weather patterns.

Colleagues described them as meticulous planners who understood the risks and worked tirelessly to keep their clients safe.

Mountain-safety experts emphasized that even highly trained guides cannot fully eliminate avalanche danger. “Backcountry skiing always carries inherent risk,” one rescue coordinator noted. “Even the best professionals cannot predict every scenario.”

THE SIX SURVIVORS

Six survivors were located shortly after emergency teams arrived, several with broken bones, hypothermia, or shock. They were transported to nearby hospitals, where all are reported to be in stable condition. Authorities say the survivors’ accounts helped establish a clearer picture of how quickly the avalanche descended and which sections of the slope collapsed first.

Some survivors described an “instant wave of white” and said they were swept hundreds of feet downhill. Others reported being partially buried but able to free an arm or hand to create an air pocket.

“Survival often comes down to pure luck,” a rescue leader said. “Where you’re standing in those few seconds can determine everything.”

WHY THE AVALANCHE HAPPENED

Meteorologists and avalanche-forecasting teams say a combination of recent heavy snowfall, strong winds, and layered weak snowpacks created a dangerously unstable environment. Although a moderate avalanche warning had been issued for the region, many backcountry users interpreted the risk level as manageable when traveling with professional guides.

Experts caution that avalanches large enough to qualify as “historic” rarely give clear warning signs on the surface. Weak layers buried deep within the snowpack can remain undetected until a precise trigger point is reached.

A COMMUNITY IN MOURNING

The tragedy has sent shockwaves through California’s outdoor and ski-touring circles. Memorials and vigils are already being planned for the victims, and local schools have organized support resources for children who lost parents in the disaster.

Many in the backcountry-ski community have shared messages of grief, solidarity, and reflection, noting that while the sport is beloved for its freedom and natural beauty, it also commands deep respect.

“These women embodied the spirit of adventure,” one friend said. “They supported each other through life, motherhood, and their love of the mountains. Losing all six at once is unimaginable.”

OFFICIAL RESPONSE

The sheriff’s office has announced a full investigation to better understand the conditions and decisions leading up to the accident, though officials emphasize that in the world of mountain travel, tragedy can occur even when all safety protocols are followed.

California’s governor issued a statement expressing condolences to the families, praising the rescue crews who risked their safety, and calling the avalanche “a heartbreaking loss for the entire state.”

THE DEADLIEST IN MODERN HISTORY

Avalanche experts say that while fatal slides occur each year in mountain regions, an event resulting in nine deaths — including an entire group accompanied by certified guides — is extremely rare in modern U.S. history.

The last comparable avalanche in California occurred decades ago and involved far fewer casualties.

MOVING FORWARD

Investigators will spend the coming days analyzing snowpack layers, reviewing route maps, and interviewing survivors. Meanwhile, friends and families of the victims are beginning the long process of grieving and supporting one another.

Ski-touring organizations across the country have also renewed calls for avalanche education and the importance of checking daily forecasts, taking certified courses, and understanding that even guided trips carry significant risk.

But for the families of the nine victims, the focus now is remembrance — of friendships, of time spent in nature, and of lives lived with passion and courage.