Deadly Avalanche in California Claims Eight Lives, One Still Missing

Eight backcountry skiers have died, and one remains missing after a powerful avalanche struck near Lake Tahoe, California, on Tuesday, February 17, 2026. The incident, occurring in the Castle Peak area of the Sierra Nevada, is the deadliest avalanche in the United States since 1981, when 11 climbers perished on Mount Rainier in Washington state.

Search and Rescue Efforts

Authorities were alerted to the avalanche by Blackbird Mountain Guides, the company leading the expedition, and by the skiers’ emergency beacons. Search and rescue crews responded to a 911 call reporting that 15 skiers had been buried. Six skiers were rescued on Tuesday, and two were hospitalized for treatment, according to Ashley Quadros, a spokesperson for the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office. The mission has now shifted from rescue to recovery, Nevada County Sheriff Shannan Moon announced at a news conference on Wednesday, February 18, 2026.

Avalanche Conditions and Terrain

The avalanche occurred as a “monster winter storm” battered the West Coast, leaving three to six feet of snow on the ground since Sunday. Gale-force winds and subfreezing temperatures further complicated rescue efforts. The Sierra Avalanche Center had warned of high avalanche risk and advised against travel in the area, citing unstable and unpredictable snowpack conditions. The area near Donner Summit is known for its steep, craggy cliffs and receives an average of nearly 35 feet of snow annually, according to the Truckee Donner Land Trust.

Victims and Investigation

The victims include seven women and two men, ranging in age from 30 to 55. Three of the deceased were guides with Blackbird Mountain Guides. The skiers were on the last day of a three-day trek and had spent two nights in huts near Frog Lake. Authorities are investigating the decision to proceed with the trip despite the weather forecast. Capt. Russell “Rusty” Greene of the Nevada County sheriff’s office noted that someone yelled “avalanche” before the slide overtook the group quickly.

Previous Incidents and Avalanche Safety

This avalanche is the deadliest in the U.S. Since the 1981 Mount Rainier tragedy. On average, 25 to 30 people die in avalanches in the U.S. Each winter, according to the National Avalanche Center. In January 2026, a snowmobiler was killed in an avalanche in the same region. The skiers involved in Tuesday’s avalanche were equipped with beacons, but it is unclear if they were wearing avalanche bags, inflatable devices designed to help keep skiers near the surface of the snow.

Ongoing Risks

The Sierra Avalanche Center continues to warn of a high avalanche risk in the area. Several Tahoe ski resorts have been fully or partially closed due to the hazardous weather conditions. Resorts utilize controlled explosions and barriers to mitigate avalanche threats, but backcountry areas remain particularly dangerous.