Deadly Avalanche Strikes Skiers in Sierra Nevada
A backcountry ski trip in California's Sierra Nevada mountains ended in tragedy after an avalanche killed multiple members of a group of mothers. Only two of the skiers survived the incident near Lake Tahoe. The event serves as a sobering reminder of the inherent risks of backcountry adventures, even for experienced individuals.
- The avalanche occurred on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, near Frog Lake and Castle Peak, north of Lake Tahoe, during a guided backcountry ski trip. - A total of nine people were killed, including six female clients and three male and female professional guides from the Blackbird Mountain Guides company. The victims were identified as Carrie Atkin, 46; Liz Clabaugh, 52; Danielle Keatley, 44; Kate Morse, 45; Caroline Sekar, 45; Kate Vitt, 43; and guides Andrew Alissandratos, 34; Nicole Choo, 42; and Michael Henry, 30. - Six other members of the skiing party survived the avalanche. The group of 15, including 11 clients and four guides, was on the final day of a three-day trip when the avalanche struck. - The incident is the deadliest avalanche in the United States since 1981, when 11 climbers were killed on Mount Rainier in Washington. It is also considered the deadliest in modern California history. - An avalanche warning was in effect for the Lake Tahoe region at the time of the incident, with forecasters rating the danger as "high" (level four out of five). A major winter storm had brought 3 to 6 feet of new snow to the area in the days leading up to the avalanche. - The significant snowfall fell on top of a weak, older snow layer that had formed during a preceding dry period, creating unstable conditions prone to avalanches. - Recovery efforts were hampered by the severe weather, with the final bodies not being recovered until Saturday, February 21, with the assistance of a Black Hawk helicopter. - The area where the avalanche occurred is in uncontrolled avalanche terrain, and the guide company recommends clients bring their own avalanche safety gear, including beacons, shovels, and probes.
