Nine Skiers Killed in Tahoe Avalanche
The bodies of all nine skiers killed in the recent Lake Tahoe avalanche have now been recovered, with tour guides identified among the victims. The tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the risks of backcountry skiing and the importance of weather awareness and safety planning. Recovery efforts faced challenging conditions in the Sierra Nevada backcountry.
- The avalanche struck on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, near Castle Peak during a severe winter storm that deposited three to six feet of snow, with winds reaching 60 mph. - On the morning of the incident, the Sierra Avalanche Center had elevated its avalanche forecast to "HIGH" danger, warning that large avalanches were likely. - The guided group consisted of 15 people in total: 11 clients and four guides from Blackbird Mountain Guides. Six people survived, including one guide. - Many of the victims were mothers with children enrolled in the local Sugar Bowl Academy, a competitive ski school. - The slab of snow that broke loose was approximately the size of a football field, striking the group around 11:30 a.m. as they were returning from the Frog Lake Backcountry Huts. - This event is the deadliest avalanche in modern California history, exceeding the seven fatalities of the 1982 Alpine Meadows avalanche, and the deadliest in the U.S. since 1981. - Survivors were able to locate and unearth three of their buried companions before rescue teams arrived, though none of the three survived. - The Nevada County Sheriff's Office has stated it is investigating whether criminal negligence was a factor in the events leading to the tragedy.
