Inside the search for missing skiers after California avalanche

Tread marks from Snow Cat vehicles carrying rescue teams lead into a closed trail at Alder Creek Adventure Center, one of two sites where search crews were launched to try to locate a group of missing skiers after an avalanche in a backcountry slope of California's Sierra Nevada mountains, in Truckee, Calif., Feb. 18, 2026.

Alder Creek Adventure Center, one of two sites where search crews were launched to try to locate a group of missing skiers after an avalanche in a backcountry slope of California's Sierra Nevada mountains, in Truckee, Calif., Feb. 18, 2026.

This screengrab from a video provided by the Nevada County Sheriff's Office shows a rescue ski team making their way to the area of an avalanche in the Castle Peak area of Truckee, California, on Feb. 17, 2026. Rescuers were searching Tuesday for ten skiers who were hit by an avalanche in the mountains of California, where a huge storm has dumped several feet of snow. (Photo by HANDOUT / Nevada County Sheriff's Office / AFP via Getty Images) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / Nevada County Sheriff's Office / HANDOUT" - HANDOUT - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS ORIG FILE ID: 2261696114

The entrance sign of the Alder Creek Adventure Center, one of two sites where search crews were launched to try to locate a group of missing skiers after an avalanche in a backcountry slope of California's Sierra Nevada mountains, in Truckee, Calif., Feb. 18, 2026.

A snowmobile is parked at Alder Creek Adventure Center, one of two sites where search crews were launched to try to locate a group of missing skiers after an avalanche in a backcountry slope of California's Sierra Nevada mountains, in Truckee, Calif., Feb. 18, 2026.

Forest Supervisor at the Tahoe National Forest, Christopher Feutrier, speaks during a press conference after a group of skiers went missing in an avalanche in the Sierra Nevada mountains, at the Nevada County Sheriff's Office in Nevada City, Calif., Feb. 18, 2026.

Nevada County Sheriff Shannan Moon replies to a question during a press conference after a group of skiers went missing in an avalanche in the Sierra Nevada mountains, at the Nevada County Sheriff's Office in Nevada City, Calif., Feb. 18, 2026.

Placer County Sheriff Wayne Woo speaks during a press conference after a group of skiers went missing in an avalanche in the Sierra Nevada mountains, at the Nevada County Sheriff's Office in Nevada City, Calif., Feb. 18, 2026.