Multiple skiers caught in Squaw Valley avalanche, injuries reported

Five skiers were rescued Friday after an avalanche at a Tahoe resort. All missing persons have been accounted for.

Guests reported an inbounds avalanche near the Olympic Lady chairlift at Squaw Valley Ski Resort at 1:40 p.m. Friday, officials said in a press release. Five guests – three males and two females – were rescued from the avalanche.

One skier was transported to Tahoe Forest Hospital with a serious lower body injury. Another was released shortly after transport.

Officials are currently investigating the cause of the avalanche, which may have been fanned by a fierce winter storm that dumped 32 inches of snow on the region in 24 hours. An investigation of the avalanche trigger is ongoing.

New snow on the morning of Nov. 15 at the Squaw Valley-Alpine Meadows resort. New snow on the morning of Nov. 15 at the Squaw Valley-Alpine Meadows resort. Photo: Provided By Squaw Valley-Alpine Meadows / Photo: Provided By Squaw Valley-Alpine Meadows / Image 1 of / 35 Caption Close Multiple skiers caught in Squaw Valley avalanche, injuries reported 1 / 35 Back to Gallery

Squaw Valley closed for the day shortly after the avalanche report. It is not yet known whether the resort will be open Saturday.

Earlier in the day, the body of a missing snowboarder was uncovered in the Squaw Creek area of the ski resort. Wenyu Zhang, 42, of Placer County, disappeared during Thursday's Sierra Nevada blizzard. Zhang's last known location was registered at the Squaw Creek chairlift at Squaw Valley Ski Resort, after a late-afternoon season pass scan, said a spokesperson of Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows.

Forecasters predict an additional one to two feet of snow for Squaw Valley by Saturday night. Friday's 50-mph winds are expected to drop off over the weekend.

Michelle Robertson is an SFGATE staff writer. Email her at mrobertson@sfchronicle.com or find her on Twitter at @mrobertsonsf.