Many in the backcountry skiing world are reeling and devastated over the news that an avalanche impacted skiiers on a guided backcountry trip in Nevada County on Tuesday near Donner Summit, leaving 8 skiers on that trip dead and one skier still missing. This avalanche is the nation’s deadliest in nearly half a century. According to the Sierra Avalanche Center, an avalanche warning remains in effect for that area through Thursday morning. According to the authorities involved in the rescue and recovery of these skiers, members in the group were equipped with beacons, also known as transceivers, which helped emergency responders get to them. Skiing and avalanche experts told NBC Bay Area that gear like that is essential in back country snow, but they don’t eliminate the risks and uncertainty that can come with the sport. Alyssa Goard has the full report in the video above. ...read more read less