UPDATE: At 3:30p.m., Taos Ski Valley released the following statement:



Shortly after 11:30AM today, an in-bounds avalanche occurred on the K3 chute off of Kachina Peak at Taos Ski Valley. The ski patrol and nearby witnesses immediately responded to the scene and rescued two skiers who had been buried by snow. The skiers received medical attention at the ski valley and were then swiftly transported to local medical facilities. We do not yet have an update on their medical conditions or identities.

The ski patrol has cleared the area after an exhaustive search using the latest avalanche response protocol. There are no additional victims.

Avalanche mitigation work has been taking place throughout the season and as recently as this morning in the area that the avalanche occurred.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the two individuals who were affected by today’s event and their families. We are grateful to the ski patrol and community of visitors across the mountain who responded without hesitation to rescue these individuals. We appreciate the overwhelming support of the community during this incident.

At least two people have been extracted after an avalanche buried an unknown number of people near Kachina Peak at Taos Ski Valley just before noon Thursday, according to the Taos News.

According to a press release from the resort, an “inbounds avalanche” took place in a chute off Kachina Peak, the highest point at the resort, which was opened for the season on January 15.

Members of Taos Ski Valley Ski Patrol and other first responders extracted two people just before 1 p.m. and were performing CPR on them.

The Taos News also reported that rescuers are continuing to dig for at least one other person still buried.

The Kachina Peak lift and lift four are temporarily closed while rescue efforts are ongoing. POWDER will continue to report on this incident as news develops.