The backcountry ski trip hit by avalanche was led by an outfit offering mountain adventures globally

The backcountry trip near Lake Tahoe where eight skiers were killed after an avalanche was led by a tour outfit that promises global mountain adventures including skiing and rock climbing in the wilderness. The group of 15 was on a three-day trek organized by Blackbird Mountain Guides in which participants carried their own food and overnighted in high-elevation forest huts. The rugged terrain had been closed to the public for a century before a land trust bought it and opened the huts, which are outfitted with basic accommodations like gas stoves and flush toilets. The tour was rated for intermediate-to-expert skiers.