A commercial backcountry ski group ventured into avalanche-warning territory during a severe winter storm, resulting in six injured rescues and nine still missing in treacherous Sierra Nevada conditions.
Story Snapshot
- 16 skiers—4 guides and 12 clients—were caught in an avalanche near Lake Tahoe’s Castle Peak on February 10, 2026, during an active avalanche warning
- Six skiers were rescued after hours of dangerous operations; two required hospitalization, while nine remain missing
- Rescuers faced 2-3 feet of fresh snow, whiteout conditions, and ongoing avalanche danger that put 46 first responders at extreme risk
- The group proceeded with their backcountry trip despite Sierra Avalanche Center warnings of “highly dangerous” conditions and likely human-triggered avalanches
Guided Group Caught in Deadly Avalanche During Storm Peak
Blackbird Mountain Guides led a three-day backcountry skiing expedition to the remote Frog Lake huts in the Castle Peak area northwest of Lake Tahoe, where 16 participants—including four professional guides and 12 clients—began their trip on February 8, 2026.
On the final day of their planned excursion, Tuesday morning at approximately 11:30 a.m., an avalanche struck the group as they traversed rugged mountainous terrain at an elevation of 9,110 feet. A 911 call reported multiple people buried, triggering a massive emergency response from the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office, which deployed 46 first responders across three rescue teams.
Extreme Weather Conditions Hampered Rescue Efforts
Rescue personnel confronted what authorities described as “highly dangerous” conditions while attempting to reach the stranded skiers. The Sierra Nevada region experienced 2 to 3 feet of new snow accumulation in the 36 hours preceding the avalanche, with snowfall continuing at rates of 2 to 4 inches per hour.
Whiteout conditions across Donner Summit severely limited visibility, while Interstate 80 remained closed in both directions due to the storm’s intensity. Despite these life-threatening obstacles, rescue teams—two on skis and one using a snowcat—spent several hours reaching the survivors and transporting them to safety.
Six Rescued While Nine Remain Missing in Ongoing Search
By evening on February 10, rescue teams successfully extracted six skiers from the avalanche site, with Truckee Fire providing immediate medical evaluation. Two victims required hospitalization for their injuries, while the others received treatment for various traumas sustained during the avalanche.
The Nevada County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that search operations continued for the nine remaining missing skiers, though extreme weather forced careful timing of rescue attempts. Authorities prioritized caring for the rescued survivors before resuming intensive search efforts for those still unaccounted for in the dangerous backcountry terrain.
Crews pushed through mountainous wilderness near Lake Tahoe during a snowstorm to rescue six backcountry skiers who survived an avalanche but were trapped by its snow and ice. Nine others from their tour group remained missing.https://t.co/pvDKoZ4jzW
— KATU News (@KATUNews) February 18, 2026
Commercial Operation Proceeded Despite Avalanche Warnings
The Sierra Avalanche Center had issued explicit warnings before the incident, stating that “large avalanches are expected to occur Tuesday, Tuesday night, and into at least early Wednesday morning across backcountry terrain.” Brandon Schwartz, director of the center, characterized conditions as “particularly dangerous in the backcountry right now just because we’re at the height of the storm.”
The center specifically warned that rapidly accumulating snowfall, weak layers in existing snowpack, and gale-force winds created conditions where “natural avalanches are likely, and human-triggered avalanches large enough to bury or injure people are very likely.”
Steve Reynaud, a Tahoe National Forest avalanche forecaster, noted the group had maintained contact with his organization, raising questions about the decision to proceed.
Incident Highlights Backcountry Risks and Personal Responsibility
The Castle Peak area has documented avalanche history, including a January 2026 incident that killed a snowmobiler in the region. Nationally, 25 to 30 people die in avalanches each winter, according to the National Avalanche Center.
Authorities emphasized the critical distinction between resort skiing operations—which implement avalanche mitigation programs—and backcountry terrain where “travel in, near, or below avalanche terrain was strongly discouraged.”
This incident underscores fundamental questions about personal responsibility and risk assessment when professional forecasters issue explicit warnings. The choice to venture into high-danger backcountry terrain during active avalanche warnings reflects decision-making that endangered not only paying clients but also the 46 first responders who risked their lives attempting rescue operations in life-threatening conditions.
Sources:
10 skiers missing after Northern California avalanche – Iron Mountain Daily News
Backcountry skiers missing after avalanche in Northern California – ABC News
