In California, eight back-country skiers have been found dead after an avalanche near Lake Tahoe, during a storm

One person is still unaccounted for - but the mission has switched from rescue to recovery.

Another six people have been rescued, two taken to hospital with non life threatening injuries

CNN's Stephanie Elam says officials are still warning of treacherous conditions - with the storm still raging.

She says they're up against high avalanche threats - with white-out conditions shutting down the area.