Eight Skiers Dead, One Missing After Avalanche Near Lake Tahoe
Eight backcountry skiers have died, and one remains missing after a powerful avalanche struck near Castle Peak, California, on Tuesday, February 17, 2026. Six skiers were rescued from the scene. The incident marks the deadliest avalanche in the United States since 1981.
Search and Rescue Efforts
The Nevada County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call around 11:30 a.m. On Tuesday reporting the avalanche. Approximately 50 search and rescue personnel were deployed to the Castle Peak area, near the border with Nevada. Six skiers were initially rescued, while the search for the remaining nine continued through challenging conditions.
Sheriff Shannan Moon announced the deaths at a news conference on Wednesday, February 18, 2026. The search has transitioned from rescue to recovery, with the remaining individual presumed deceased. Rescuers have worked to move the bodies of the deceased to a more accessible location for recovery.
Avalanche Conditions and Warning
The avalanche occurred in an area known for heavy snowfall, receiving an average of nearly 10 meters (33 feet) of snow annually, according to the Donner Land Trust. The group had been staying in cabins near Frog Lake, at an elevation of approximately 2,300 meters (7,546 feet).
An avalanche warning was in effect at the time of the incident, issued by the Avalanche Center in Colorado. The avalanche stemmed from a persistent weak layer in the snowpack that had accumulated a significant load of snow. This layer had since reloaded with additional snowfall, maintaining a high avalanche risk.
The Group and the Incident
The group consisted of 15 skiers, including four guides from Blackbird Mountain Guides, who were on a three-day backcountry ski trip. One individual had backed out of the trip at the last moment, reducing the initial group size from 16. The skiers were near the trailhead when the avalanche struck.
One of the deceased is a spouse of a search and rescue team member. Details regarding the genders and identities of the victims have not yet been released to the public.
Ongoing Investigation
Authorities are investigating the decision to proceed with the trip despite the avalanche warning and severe weather conditions. The rescue operation was hampered by heavy snow and the continued threat of further avalanches, requiring a “slow and steady” pace.
The average number of avalanche fatalities in the United States each winter over the past ten years is 27, according to the Avalanche Center.