UPDATE – Tuesday, Feb. 17 at 4 p.m.

10 skiers are still unaccounted for following an avalanche near Castle Peak earlier today. Six skiers have survived and remain at the avalanche site, awaiting rescue. The survivors have been directed to shelter in place.

The group of 16, consisting of four ski guides and 12 clients, encountered the avalanche around 11:30 a.m. today.

Rescue ski teams have departed from both Boreal Mountain Ski Resort and Tahoe Donner’s Alder Creek Adventure Center to make their way to the known survivors. A Snocat team is also on its way to the incident site.

The Nevada County Sheriff’s office says rescue efforts remain in progress now with 46 emergency first responders.

Weather conditions remain highly dangerous.

The Sierra Avalanche Center previously issued an avalanche warning for today, which has been in effect since 5 a.m. today through Feb. 18 at 5 a.m., stating: “HIGH avalanche danger exists in the backcountry. Large avalanches are expected to occur Tuesday, Tuesday night, and into at least early Wednesday morning across backcountry terrain. HIGH avalanche danger might continue through the day on Wednesday.”

ORIGINAL STORY – Tuesday, Feb. 17 at 12:15 p.m.

NEVADA COUNTY, Calif. – The Nevada County Sheriff’s Office and Nevada County Sheriff’s Search & Rescue are responding to the report of an avalanche in the Castle Peak area.

The incident occurred around 11:30 a.m. Tuesday and involved a group of backcountry skiers, several of which are missing, according to the sheriff’s office update.

Details are currently limited. The Sun will provide further updates when details become available.