MILL VALLEY, Calif. (KRON) -- An avalanche near Lake Tahoe has left at least eight people dead and one person missing in what officials describe as the deadliest such event in decades. Rescuers managed to save six others after the group of 15 skiers was buried alive during a winter storm Tuesday. T he victims, who range in age from 30 to 55, include mothers from the Bay Area. Nevada County sheriff's officials reported that it took rescue crews 6 hours to reach the survivors during a blizzard that produced gale-force winds and made visibility nearly impossible. Mother, son found dead inside Pleasanton home, say police Rescue efforts transitioned into a recovery operation as dangerous conditions persisted in the area following the Tuesday morning event. Shannan Moon, the Nevada County sheriff, said crews utilized snowcats and specialized skiers to navigate the treacherous terrain. "A slow and steady pace going with snowcats skiers, going up into the area, which is still considered a very high danger for avalanche," Moon said. Snow falls on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026 in Truckee Calif. (AP Photos/Brooke Hess-Homeier) Experts noted that the risk of such events is typically highest immediately following major weather patterns. Craig Clements, a meteorology professor at San Jose State University, explained the specific timeline of peak risk. "Usually the first 24-48 hours after a very very large snowfall that the danger is highest," Clements said. Rapid snowfall and powerful winds continued to hamper efforts to reach the victims throughout the week. The tragedy has specifically impacted the Bay Area community of Mill Valley, where some of the skiers on the trip resided. Staff at a local coffee shop in Mill Valley described one of the deceased victims as a friendly regular who frequently visited the business with her children. While officials confirmed the skiers from Mill Valley were mothers, their specific identities have not been released. Max Perrey, the mayor of Mill Valley, addressed the impact of the loss on the community. "Our heart in Mill Valley goes out to the families that have been impacted. It's a huge tragedy and a huge loss," Perrey said. The Nevada County Sheriff's Office confirmed the victims were between ages 30 and 55. Recovery crews are waiting for the current storm to lift before attempting to remove the bodies from the site. A backcountry avalanche warning from the National Weather Service remains in effect until Friday morning. All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by KRON4. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat information into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by KRON4 staff before being published. ...read more read less