""In addition to mourning the loss of six clients, we also mourn the loss of three highly experienced members of our guide team," founder Zeb Blais said in the statement issued Wednesday night. "We are doing what we can to support the families who lost so much, and the members of our team who lost treasured friends and colleagues.""
"Blais confirmed in the statement all guides had the highest certifications and training in backcountry skiing and avalanche risk. "All of the guides with the group were AMGA (American Mountain Guides Association) trained or certified in backcountry skiing. Each guide was also an instructor with the American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE), the industry standard for avalanche education, and was certified to teach," he said."
"The group of 15, including four guides from Blackbird, was reportedly returning from a three-day backcountry ski trip to the Frog Lake huts near the Lake Tahoe region when the avalanche occurred. Eight people have been confirmed deceased, making the avalanche the deadliest in modern California history. One individual is missing but presumed dead, and the Nevada County Sheriff's Office confirmed it has switched from a rescue mission to a recovery one."
An avalanche near Lake Tahoe struck a group returning from a three-day backcountry ski trip to the Frog Lake huts, killing at least eight people and leaving one missing and presumed dead. The group of 15 included four guides from Blackbird Mountain Guides; six clients and three guides were among the confirmed deceased. Six people, including one guide, survived and were rescued by search-and-rescue teams Tuesday evening. Blackbird founder Zeb Blais described the event as an enormous tragedy and said the company is supporting families and team members. Blais confirmed all guides were AMGA-trained or certified and served as AIARE instructors certified to teach.
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