Several victims of an avalanche that hit Northern California's backcountry on Tuesday were connected to a private school for competitive skiers, the institution said.

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

Several victims of an avalanche that hit Northern California's backcountry on Tuesday were connected to a private school for competitive skiers, the institution said.

Most of the deceased were reportedly the mothers of children on a ski team at the Lake Tahoe-area Sugar Bowl Academy.