Search and rescue teams grappled with hazardous weather and unstable snowpack this weekend as they recovered the bodies of skiers killed in a massive avalanche near Castle Peak in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains. 

The slide, which struck midweek during a severe winter storm, is now linked to nine fatalities, making it among the deadliest avalanche incidents in U.S. history.

A U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter flew from the Truckee Tahoe Airport on Saturday as crews worked to make the slide zone safer for recovery personnel. 

Treacherous conditions such as wind, deep snow and avalanche risk have caused delays for the teams trying to reach victims buried in the vast field of snow. 

Eight bodies were found earlier in the week, and an additional missing person has since been located, authorities said.

Officials have kept a temporary flight restriction in place over the site so that unauthorized aircraft remain out of the area during the recovery efforts.

On Friday, teams used water to soften and break up unstable snowpack in the hopes of minimizing the danger before ground crews can come in to help.