Eight bodies have been located, and crews were working to transport the remains off the mountain for autopsies to determine the cause of death, authorities said.

Six survivors were rescued Tuesday evening after search and rescue teams navigated blizzard conditions for several hours, the sheriff's office said, adding that two of the six were taken to a hospital for treatment with no life-threatening injuries.

The avalanche struck at approximately 11:30 a.m. local time on Tuesday near Castle Peak, located about 2,500 meters northwest of Lake Tahoe.

A group of 15 people, including 11 clients and four guides from Blackbird Mountain Guides, a professional backcountry tour company, was returning to the trailhead at the conclusion of a three-day guided ski trip when the accident occurred, the company said in a statement.

The Sierra Avalanche Center, a regional forecasting body, had issued a high avalanche danger warning before the accident, citing rapidly accumulating snowfall, unstable snowpack layers and strong winds.

Moon said investigators would examine the company's decision to proceed with the trip in light of the warning.

On Wednesday, the center warned that danger remains high and that travel in or near avalanche terrain is not recommended.

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