Deadliest California avalanche kills eight backcountry skiers near Lake Tahoe; search continues for ninth
A massive avalanche near Castle Peak above Donner Pass on February 17, 2026, killed eight backcountry skiers and left one missing from a 15-person group; six were rescued amid a severe winter storm and unstable snow.
Key takeaways
- Fatal toll: Eight confirmed dead, one still missing and presumed dead; six survivors rescued from a 15-person party.
- Conditions: A major winter storm dumped several feet of unstable snow; the Sierra Avalanche Center issued a watch then upgraded to a warning.
- Response and access: Recovery used snow machines, aircraft and explosives; Tahoe National Forest temporarily closed Castle Peak for safety and operations.
- Accountability: Investigators will review guide decisions, communications and how avalanche alerts are shared with field operators.
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What happened
On February 17, 2026, a guided party finishing a three-day ski trip from the Frog Lake huts above Donner Pass was struck by an avalanche around 11:30 a.m. A wall of snow roughly the size of a football field swept down as the group skied out in a blizzard. Capt. Russell “Rusty” Greene described the moment: someone shouted “Avalanche!” but there was little time to react before the slope buried members of the party. (Source: Los Angeles Times)
Rescue and recoveries
Rescue teams, including Nevada County Search and Rescue and Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue, worked in remote, freezing and unstable conditions to reach survivors and recover victims. Six people — four men and two women, ages roughly 30 to 55, including one guide — were pulled from the snow in an operation that took about six hours and concluded around 5:30 p.m. Recoveries were slowed by the continuing storm and dangerous slopes; teams transitioned to body recovery when weather permitted. (Sources: Los Angeles Times, Fox News)
“Avalanche!” — Capt. Russell “Rusty” Greene, Nevada County Sheriff’s Office (quoted in Los Angeles Times)
Victims, guides and community ties
Authorities and families said several of those killed were experienced backcountry skiers who trained and travelled together. Families of six women identified them as Carrie Atkin, Liz Clabaugh, Danielle Keatley, Kate Morse, Caroline Sekar and Kate Vitt; two sisters were among the victims. Three of the four guides from Truckee-based Blackbird Mountain Guides are now presumed dead; one guide survived. The guide company said staff had been communicating about conditions and urged the public to avoid speculation while investigators review the facts. (Source: Los Angeles Times)
Sugar Bowl Academy confirmed some victims were part of its community, calling the school “heartbroken”. Local connections span the Bay Area, Truckee and Idaho, deepening local grief. (Source: Los Angeles Times)
Investigation into decision to go out
Nevada County Sheriff Shannan Moon said investigators will examine why the group proceeded on Sunday despite an avalanche watch issued at 6:49 a.m. that morning by the Sierra Avalanche Center, which was later upgraded to a warning. The inquiry will review weather briefings, communication records, guide decision-making, and whether standard backcountry safety practices were followed. Officials are also reviewing how and when alerts reach guides in the field. (Source: Los Angeles Times)
Response, closure and safety measures
Tahoe National Forest closed the Castle Peak area temporarily (February 20–March 15) to allow responders to use snow machines, aircraft and explosives to reduce avalanche danger during recovery. Local volunteers and professional teams were praised by families for their efforts under extreme conditions. Officials asked media and the public to respect privacy as responders and investigators continue work. (Source: Fox News)
Questions for guide companies and regulators
The incident raises immediate questions about how forecasts and urgent upgrades are communicated to guides and clients, what duty of care commercial trips must meet when conditions change rapidly, and whether protocols for trip cancellation and mandatory safety briefings are sufficient. Investigators and industry groups may review standards for real-time monitoring and trip decision-making.
Implications for the world
Safety standards and regulation: Guide certifications and operator protocols may be re-examined in many countries.
Forecasting and communication: The watch-to-warning upgrade the morning of the trip highlights how quickly risk can change and may prompt faster, clearer alerts and direct outreach to commercial operators.
Search-and-rescue capacity: The scale of the recovery underlines the need for well-funded, equipped teams and improved coordination.
Public awareness and equipment: The event may spur demand for avalanche training, rescue drills and personal safety gear while also encouraging stricter guide standards.
As investigators gather facts from Castle Peak, the lessons learned will matter globally: clearer forecasts, better communications, stronger guide standards and more rescue resources can reduce the chance of similar loss elsewhere. (Sources: Los Angeles Times, Fox News)
