"The report states that an hour before the avalanche occurred, wind speeds in the area averaged 75 mph with gusts as high as 125 mph at the Siberia Express chairlift at the Palisades Tahoe ski resort."
"About 40 inches of snow had fallen during the storm in the preceding days, with 4 inches per hour falling between 9 and 11 a.m. on the day of the avalanche."
"The exact weak layer and crown depth for this avalanche may never be known, indicating the complexity and unpredictability of avalanche conditions."
"The 15 skiers on the backcountry trip just outside of Truckee included 11 clients and four guides from Blackbird Mountain Guides who were traveling together from the Frog Lake Backcountry Huts."
A report details the deadliest-known California avalanche that killed nine skiers on February 17. The Colorado Avalanche Information Center and National Avalanche Center compiled findings indicating high avalanche risk due to prior weather conditions. An hour before the avalanche, wind speeds reached 75 mph, with heavy snowfall contributing to instability. The group of 15 skiers, including guides from Blackbird Mountain Guides, traversed a dangerous area when the avalanche struck, running 400 vertical feet down the mountain.
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