A trio of skiers is likely buried under an avalanche near Anchorage, Alaska, that occurred Tuesday afternoon, but dangerous backcountry conditions have so far stymied recovery operations, officials announced.

The three missing skiers who were reportedly buried under up to 100 feet of snow after an avalanche in the Alaska backcountry earlier this week have been identified, Alaska State Troopers said Thursday.

Girdwood is a tourist community that caters to winter events, with downhill skiing and snowboarding at the Alyeska Resort in a spectacularly scenic location. After a gondola ride 3,200 feet (975 meters) up Mount Alyeska, diners can view seven glaciers from the restaurant named for that view.

Multiple skiers were reported trapped in the Alaska backcountry after being swept up in an avalanche, Alaska State Troopers said Wednesday. The number of skiers and their conditions were not immediately available.

If the deaths are confirmed, it would be the deadliest U.S. avalanche since three climbers were killed in a slide in Washington's Cascade Range two years ago.

They were likely killed under the weight of snow nearly as deep as a 10-story building, Alaska State Troopers said Wednesday.

Three heli-skiers caught in a large avalanche in the Alaska backcountry are feared dead. The skiers are believed to be buried between 40 and 100 feet deep after an avalanche near Girdwood around 3:30 p.

The depth of the snow kept the heli-ski company from being able to recover the skiers Tuesday, an Alaska State Troopers spokesman said.

A massive avalanche in Alaska has buried three skiers, who are now presumed dead, while a fourth skier managed to escape unharmed. Search and rescue efforts are ongoing as authorities battle harsh conditions to locate the missing.