TRUCKEE, Calif. – Crews have successfully recovered the bodies of nine backcountry skiers who tragically lost their lives in a devastating avalanche in California’s Sierra Nevada, officials confirmed on Saturday. The recovery operation, complicated by heavy snowfall, has come to a close after a harrowing five-day effort.
The search team initially located eight victims and found a ninth skier, who had been missing since Tuesday’s avalanche on Castle Peak near Lake Tahoe. Authorities said the ninth victim had been close to the others, but whiteout conditions made it impossible to spot the body earlier. Nevada County Sheriff Lt. Dennis Hack expressed relief that the recovery was finally completed, despite the difficult conditions.
Sheriff Shannan Moon expressed gratitude to numerous agencies, including the California Highway Patrol, the National Guard, Pacific Gas & Electric, and 42 volunteers who assisted on the final day. “We are fortunate in this mountain community that we are very tight-knit, and our community shows up in times of tragedy,” Moon stated.
Victims Identified
For the first time, the sheriff identified the three guides from Blackbird Mountain Guides who were killed in the avalanche: Andrew Alissandratos (34), Nicole Choo (42), and Michael Henry (30). Alissandratos, originally from Tampa, Florida, had lived in Tahoe for about a decade and was passionate about a variety of outdoor activities. Henry, who had moved to Colorado in 2016, was known for his laid-back nature and love for sharing his knowledge of the mountains. No biography was available for Choo.
“This was an enormous tragedy, and the saddest event our team has ever experienced,” said Blackbird Mountain founder Zeb Blais. He added that the company is doing everything possible to support the families of the victims and the members of their team who have lost cherished friends and colleagues.
The six other victims were part of a close-knit group of experienced backcountry skiers. The women—Carrie Atkin, Liz Clabaugh, Danielle Keatley, Kate Morse, Caroline Sekar, and Kate Vitt—were all in their 40s and hailed from the San Francisco Bay Area, Idaho, and the Lake Tahoe region.
In a statement, the families of the victims said, “We are devastated beyond words. Our focus right now is supporting our children through this incredible tragedy and honoring the lives of these extraordinary women. They were all mothers, wives, and friends, all of whom connected through the love of the outdoors.” They also asked for privacy while they grieve and noted they “have many unanswered questions.”
Two other members of the group survived the avalanche, along with four others, including one guide. Their names have not been released.
A Deep Loss Felt Across the Community
Sheriff Shannan Moon shared a message on Facebook, stating, “There are no words that truly capture the significance of this loss, and our hearts mourn alongside the families of those affected by this catastrophic event.” He added that the weight of the tragedy is felt not just by the families but also by friends, colleagues, and the entire community as they all stand together during this difficult time.
