A powerful avalanche near Lake Tahoe, California, on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, claimed the lives of at least eight backcountry skiers, including a mother of two from Marin County, authorities and friends confirmed. The tragedy, unfolding in the Castle Peak area of the Sierra Nevada, is being described as the deadliest avalanche in modern California history.
The Nevada County Sheriff’s Office has not yet released the identities of all the victims, but friends have identified one as a woman from Marin County, a mother known to neighbors for her active involvement in her children’s lives. “It’s devastating, I signify, it’s ski week, she’s got two adorable little kids and we watch them just for the past couple of years walking back and forth from school,” said a neighbor, Kim, according to NBC Bay Area. “She has so much verve and zest for life and she was just a lovely neighbor.”
The group of 15 skiers, comprised of clients and guides from Blackbird Mountain Guides, were engaged in a three-day backcountry ski trip when the avalanche struck at approximately 11:30 a.m. Tuesday. Initial reports indicated 16 people were involved, but the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office later corrected the figure. Six survivors were rescued overnight, battling extreme weather conditions, with two requiring hospital treatment for non-life-threatening injuries, The San Francisco Standard reported. One skier remains missing and is presumed dead.
The avalanche occurred in the rugged terrain of Castle Peak, an area known for its challenging backcountry conditions. The skiers were reportedly ending their trip when a storm triggered the massive slide. According to authorities, most of the skiers were women and mothers of children who participate in the ski team at nearby Sugar Bowl Resort.
The tragedy has resonated throughout the Lake Tahoe area, where many of the victims had strong ties to the alpine community. Some were connected to an academy for competitive skiers, according to the Associated Press. One of the deceased is the spouse of a member of the Tahoe Nordic Search & Rescue team, highlighting the profound impact of the disaster on local emergency responders. AP News reported that the skiers understood the dangers of backcountry travel.
Local officials in Marin County have confirmed that several residents were among those caught in the avalanche, including women from Mill Valley, according to Yahoo News. Grief counseling services are being made available to families and communities affected by the loss.
The Nevada County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the avalanche, and the identities of the remaining victims are expected to be released as next of kin are notified. The investigation will likely focus on the avalanche forecast conditions at the time, the decisions made by the guiding company, and the experience level of the skiers involved.
