Eight confirmed dead, six survivors located near Tahoe after deadliest avalanche in state history

Eight backcountry skiers were killed in the deadliest avalanche in state history Tuesday in the Sierra Nevada near Truckee, authorities said.

Six skiers — one guide and five participants in a three-day backcountry ski expedition — were rescued alive Tuesday, said Nevada County Sheriff Shannan Moon at a press conference Wednesday morning.

One additional skier remains missing but is presumed deceased as operations have shifted from rescue to recovery, Moon said. The skiers still on the mountain include seven women and two men.