All Missing Avalanche Skiers Recovered
All nine skiers who went missing in the recent California avalanche have now been recovered. Intense winter storms delayed search and rescue efforts, but authorities confirmed on Saturday that the final bodies were found. The tragedy serves as a reminder of backcountry winter adventure risks and the importance of monitoring avalanche conditions.
- The avalanche occurred on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, near Castle Peak in California's Sierra Nevada, and is the deadliest in the state's modern history. Of the 15 members of the guided backcountry ski tour, nine were killed and six survived. - The deceased included six clients and three professional guides from the Truckee-based company, Blackbird Mountain Guides. The six clients were a close-knit group of friends and experienced backcountry skiers who were all mothers. - An investigation into potential criminal negligence is underway, led by the Nevada County Sheriff's Office and the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA). The investigation is looking into the decisions made by the guide company to proceed with and continue the trip despite severe weather forecasts. - The Sierra Avalanche Center had issued an avalanche watch on the Sunday the trip began, which was upgraded to a warning for "HIGH avalanche danger" on the morning of the incident. The area had received significant snowfall, with some ski resorts reporting over 60 inches of new snow from the storm. - The search and rescue operation was hampered by the intense winter storm, with recovery of the final victims taking five days. A Black Hawk helicopter was used to assist in the recovery efforts. - The six survivors were able to communicate with first responders using an iPhone's SOS feature and took shelter under tarps while awaiting rescue. - The U.S. Forest Service has issued a temporary closure for the area of the Tahoe National Forest near Castle Peak, effective until March 15, 2026, due to the instability of the snowpack.
