The bodies of all the skiers who died in Tuesday's avalanche near Lake Tahoe have been recovered, authorities said Saturday. Intense winter storm conditions delayed search and recovery efforts.

Six women and three guides perished in California's deadliest avalanche in decades during a backcountry ski trip. The group of eight friends, experienced skiers, were caught by a massive slide triggered by a winter storm.

A group of close friends and experienced skiers had long planned a backcountry trip in the rugged Sierra Nevada mountains, but their trek ended in tragedy as a football-field-sized crush of snow and ice overtook their tour.

The families of six mothers, wives and “passionate, skilled skiers” killed in a California avalanche are mourning their deaths.

Members of a noted skiing school, Sugar Bowl Academy, were among those who died in this week's avalanche disaster near Lake Tahoe