Criminal probe into deadly Tahoe avalanche moves forward as redacted reports leave questions unanswered

The avalanche that killed nine Tahoe skiers is raising more questions than answers — and now prosecutors have the case.Months after the group ventured into a treacherous backcountry slope despite warnings of extreme avalanche danger, investigators have completed their probe and turned their findings over to Nevada County prosecutors.But a heavily redacted report leaves critical details buried — including whether the victims suffered other injuries or had drugs or alcohol in their systems — as prosecutors weigh whether to bring criminal charges against the guide company that led the doomed expedition.The skiers were led by Blackbird Mountain Guides.The Nevada County Sheriff’s Office announced a negligence investigation into the company soon after the February avalanche.The review doesn’t mean that prosecutors will file charges, and it’s unclear how long the investigation will last.The report, released Thursday, revealed the cause of death for the nine skiers was asphyxiation after several feet of snow buried them.

Asphyxiation is a common cause of death for avalanche victims, as is blunt force trauma from the slabs of snow hitting them.The report did not reveal whether the nine dead suffered any additional injuries or whether they were under the influence of any drugs or alcohol at the time of their deaths.Skiers with the 15-person group trekked out on Feb.17 to hit the slopes near Castle Peak despite a dire warning from snow forecasters telling people to stay out of the backcountry because of the extreme avalanche danger.The Blackbird group traveled too close to Perry’s Peak, a slope loaded with rapidly falling snow.A roughly 100-foot-wide wall of snow broke loose and raced about 400 feet down the mountain, burying all but two members of the group.The survivors scrambled to dig through the debris and managed to rescue four companions before deciding they could no longer reach the others.

The group then focused on their own survival while rescuers mad...