Deadly Avalanche in Lake Tahoe Claims Eight Lives, One Skier Missing

Eight backcountry skiers have been confirmed dead, and one remains missing after a devastating avalanche near Lake Tahoe, California, officials announced on Wednesday, February 18, 2026. The incident marks the deadliest avalanche in the United States since 1981, when eleven climbers perished on Mount Rainier in Washington state.

Search and Rescue Efforts

The Nevada County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the mission has shifted from rescue to recovery, as hopes of finding the remaining skier alive diminish. Search and rescue crews were initially dispatched on Tuesday after a 911 call reported that an avalanche had buried fifteen skiers in the Castle Peak area, northwest of Lake Tahoe. Six skiers were rescued on Tuesday evening, with two requiring hospitalization for treatment.

Avalanche Conditions and Warnings

Authorities stated that the skiers had limited time to react to the rapidly unfolding avalanche. Captain Russell “Rusty” Greene, of the Nevada County sheriff’s office, explained, “Someone saw the avalanche, yelled ‘Avalanche!’ and it overtook them rather quickly.”

The Sierra Avalanche Center had issued an avalanche watch on February 18, 2026, at 6:49 a.m., indicating that large avalanches were likely within the next 24 to 48 hours. The watch was later upgraded to a warning prior to the avalanche occurring. It remains unclear whether the guides were aware of the updated warning before commencing the trek.

Details of the Group and the Trek

The group was on a three-day trek in the Sierra Nevada mountains as a major winter storm impacted the West Coast. The skiers were traveling with Blackbird Mountain Guides, who notified authorities about the avalanche using emergency beacons. The company stated it is cooperating with the investigation and offering support to the families involved. According to Blackbird Mountain Guides, the group included four guides.

The area near Donner Summit, where the avalanche occurred, is known for its heavy snowfall, averaging nearly 35 feet annually, according to the Truckee Donner Land Trust. The terrain is rugged, requiring backcountry skills, avalanche training, and safety equipment.

Ongoing Concerns and Safety Recommendations

The Sierra Avalanche Center continues to warn of high avalanche risk in the region and advises against travel in the area. Multiple feet of snowfall and strong winds have created unstable and unpredictable snow conditions, with further snowfall anticipated. Several Tahoe ski resorts have been fully or partially closed due to the severe weather. Whereas resorts employ avalanche control measures, the backcountry remains significantly more dangerous.

Historical Context

The Donner Summit area has a tragic history, notably as the location where the Donner Party was trapped during the winter of 1846-47, resorting to cannibalism for survival. More recently, in January 2026, a snowmobiler was killed in an avalanche in the same region. On average, 25 to 30 people die in avalanches across the United States each winter, according to the National Avalanche Center.