— The families of six women killed in the devastating avalanche north of Lake Tahoe have spoken out for the first time, sharing their profound grief and revealing the identities of the victims.

Those who died included Carrie Atkin, Kate Morse, Danielle Keatley, Caroline Sekar, Kate Vitt, and Liz Claubaugh. In a joint statement released Thursday, the family said:

“We are heartbroken beyond words. The most important thing right now is to support our children through this tragedy and to honor the lives of these extraordinary women.”

According to their family, all six are mothers, wives, and friends, bound together by a love of nature and a passion for skiing. They live in the San Francisco Bay Area, Idaho, and the Truckee–Tahoe region.

The trip was well-planned.

The family said the group of eight friends had been planning the trip for a long time:

A two-night stay at Frog Lake Huts near Truckee

There are professional tour guides.

They are all experienced backcountry skiers who respect the mountains and forests.

Wear full avalanche safety equipment.

The statement read: “They were well-trained, well-prepared, and trusted the team of guides. They all carried the necessary safety equipment.” The family acknowledged that many questions remain unanswered about what happened before the tragedy. “Supermoms” in the eyes of friends: On social media, friends called them the “supermoms”—strong mothers who loved life and always made time for their families and their passion for exploring nature. Rescue efforts hampered: According to rescuers, harsh weather conditions on Thursday prevented them from reaching and bringing the victims’ bodies down the mountain. In total, the trip involved 11 skiers and 4 guides.

Eight people have died, and one person remains missing and is presumed dead.

Six people were rescued, including five women and one man, aged between 30 and 55.

The family concluded the statement with the following message:

“We are trying to care for each other and our families in a way that we believe these women would want.”