Several of the victims who died in abackcountry avalanche disasterin California's Lake Tahoe Region were members of an elite skiing academy, according to a statement from the school released Feb. 18.
"Multiple members of theSugar Bowl Academycommunity and others with strong connections to Sugar Bowl, Donner Summit, and the backcountry community died,"the statement said,referring to the avalanche on Tuesday. "Sugar Bowl Academy is focused on supporting its athletes, students, staff, and families through this tragedy."
The accident is being calledthe deadliest avalanche in the U.S. in four decades. On the last and third day of the trip deep into Sierra Nevada ski country,an avalanche came crashing down, killing three guides and five guests, and leaving six survivors. A ninth person was not found and is presumed dead.
The area where the avalanche occurred is known for its beauty, its skiing and its danger. The Donner Land Trust, which owns the Frog Lake area,says on its websitethat "all areas are uncontrolled avalanche terrain that require appropriate avalanche education and equipment."
Neither local officials or Sugar Bowl Academy leaders have identified any of the victims by name.Sugar Bowl Academyis an independent, coed boarding and day school for competitive skiers in grades 8-12 located inNorden, California, near Lake Tahoe. It offers specialized ski training in alpine alongside a college preparatory curriculum.
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The academy focuses on developing high-caliber athletes, with graduates frequently moving on to U.S. Ski Teams and NCAA Division I programs. It has produced numerous elite skiers, particularly for the U.S. and international ski teams, with eight alumni named to the 2022 Winter Olympics. Notable alumni includeWorld Cup winner Alice Robinson,U.S. OlympianLuke WintersandFreeride World Tour Champion Isaac Freeland.
"The Sugar Bowl Academy community will continue to be there in the months and years ahead for the families that have lost loved ones," the school said in its statement on the avalanche tragedy.
"We are an incredibly close and connected community. This tragedy has affected each and every one of us. The depth of support for the families whose lives have been changed forever reminds us of how special this community is", said Executive Director Stephen McMahon. "The best thing we can do is surround our athletes and families with care and support while providing the necessary space and time for grief and healing."
Search and rescue teams were dispatched at about 11:30 a.m. local time after receiving reports of an avalanche incident involving a group of skiers in steep backcountry terrain in the Castle Peak area, northwest of Lake Tahoe, according to theNevada County Sheriff's Office.
Blackbird Mountain Guides, now under scrutiny for its role inthe avalanche,had multiple social media posts that acknowledged possible avalanche threats in the region.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Some who died in avalanche disaster were part of elite skiing academy
