India, Feb. 19 -- Eight backcountry skiers were found dead after an avalanche near Lake Tahoe, authorities said. Nevada County Sheriff Shannan Moon confirmed the fatalities and said one skier remains missing.

Rescue operations are continuing as heavy snow persists across California's Sierra Nevada mountains. The missing person is presumed deceased, Sheriff Moon said, Bloomberg reported.

"We are still looking" for the missing skier, Moon said in a press conference on Wednesday. "But the weather is a factor."

Six members of the group, five women and one man, survived and were rescued near Castle Peak after crews spent hours reaching them. Two were taken to the hospital; one was released Tuesday night, and the other is expected to be disc...