California Avalanche Kills Nine Skiers
Nine backcountry skiers and guides were killed in an avalanche near Castle Peak, California, on February 17, 2026, marking the deadliest avalanche in modern California history. As of April 18, 2026, the Nevada County Sheriff's Office is continuing its criminal investigation into the incident, with Cal/OSHA also investigating Blackbird Mountain Guides, the company that led the excursion. Reports released in April 2026 questioned the guides' decisions, suggesting they chose an avalanche-prone route and that skiers may have deviated from safety practices by crossing terrain too closely together despite warnings. All nine victims have been recovered and identified, and the California State Senate honored the victims in March 2026.
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April 2026 — 4 developments
A final report released in early April 2026 questioned the guides' decisions in the February 18, 202…
A final report released in early April 2026 questioned the guides' decisions in the February 18, 2026, avalanche near Castle Peak, suggesting they chose a more avalanche-prone route when safer options were available. The Nevada County Sheriff's Office is continuing its criminal investigation into the incident.
U.S. experts have published an analysis questioning the decisions of Blackbird Mountain Guides, sugg…
U.S. experts have published an analysis questioning the decisions of Blackbird Mountain Guides, suggesting that skiers should have been spaced out more to mitigate avalanche risk. This analysis comes as the deadliest avalanche in modern California history, which occurred on February 17, 2026, near Lake Tahoe and killed nine backcountry skiers, remains under criminal and workplace regulatory investigation.
A final report on the Castle Peak avalanche detailed that two members of the group, a guide and a gu…
A final report on the Castle Peak avalanche detailed that two members of the group, a guide and a guest, had fallen behind and were not caught in the slide, subsequently assisting in the rescue of other survivors. In March 2026, the California State Senate honored the victims of the deadly avalanche, which occurred on February 18, 2026.
A new report released on April 3, 2026, indicates that nine backcountry skiers and guides killed in …
A new report released on April 3, 2026, indicates that nine backcountry skiers and guides killed in the February 17, 2026, avalanche near Castle Peak may have deviated from safety practices by crossing slide-prone terrain too closely together, despite avalanche warnings. Some victims' airbag backpacks did not deploy, and the exact cause of the avalanche remains unclear as investigations for potential criminal charges continue.
March 2026 — 2 developments
Cal/OSHA has launched an investigation into Blackbird Mountain Guides, the company that led the excursion, which has since suspended its field operations.
Cal/OSHA has launched an investigation into Blackbird Mountain Guides, the company that led the excursion, which has since suspended its field operations. The deadliest avalanche in modern California history occurred on February 17, 2026, near Castle Peak, killing nine people.
The guide company, Blackbird Mountain Guides, has stated that all inquiries regarding the avalanche that killed nine skiers should be directed to the Nevada County sheriff.
The guide company, Blackbird Mountain Guides, has stated that all inquiries regarding the avalanche that killed nine skiers should be directed to the Nevada County sheriff. An investigation into possible criminal negligence is underway following the February 17, 2026, incident near Lake Tahoe.
February 2026 — 11 developments
Investigators are examining whether criminal negligence contributed to the avalanche that killed at least eight people on a guided backcountry ski trip.
Investigators are examining whether criminal negligence contributed to the avalanche that killed at least eight people on a guided backcountry ski trip. All nine victims have now been recovered, with the final bodies found on February 21, 2026, after recovery efforts were hampered by weather. The avalanche, which occurred near Castle Peak, is the deadliest in modern California history.
All nine victims of the Castle Peak avalanche have been recovered and identified.
All nine victims of the Castle Peak avalanche have been recovered and identified. Authorities are investigating the circumstances that led the ski group to proceed with their trip after an avalanche watch was issued prior to the incident.
Search efforts have tragically confirmed the deaths of eight skiers following the avalanche, with one individual still unaccounted for and presumed dead.
Search efforts have tragically confirmed the deaths of eight skiers following the avalanche, with one individual still unaccounted for and presumed dead. This marks the deadliest avalanche in modern California history. Six survivors were rescued, two of whom required hospitalization. The group of 15 skiers, including four guides, was caught in the avalanche while attempting to escape.
Search efforts have tragically confirmed the deaths of 8 skiers following the avalanche.
Search efforts have tragically confirmed the deaths of 8 skiers following the avalanche. One individual remains unaccounted for. This grim update comes as rescue operations continue amidst challenging conditions.
The Nevada County Sheriff's Office confirmed that the six located skiers were in communication with …
The Nevada County Sheriff's Office confirmed that the six located skiers were in communication with officials via emergency beacons, providing updates on their condition and makeshift shelter.
Authorities revised the total number of people in the skiing group from 16 to 15.
Authorities revised the total number of people in the skiing group from 16 to 15. Two of the six rescued skiers were transported to a hospital for treatment.
Search and rescue operations continued through the night and into the next day, battling blizzard conditions and the ongoing threat of further avalanches.
Search and rescue operations continued through the night and into the next day, battling blizzard conditions and the ongoing threat of further avalanches. The number of people involved in the search and rescue effort reached at least 46 emergency first responders.
California Governor Gavin Newsom was briefed on the avalanche, and state authorities were coordinating search-and-rescue efforts with local emergency teams.
California Governor Gavin Newsom was briefed on the avalanche, and state authorities were coordinating search-and-rescue efforts with local emergency teams.
The Sierra Avalanche Center had issued a warning of "high avalanche danger" in the backcountry regio…
The Sierra Avalanche Center had issued a warning of "high avalanche danger" in the backcountry region due to rapidly accumulating snowfall, weak snowpack layers, and gale-force winds. Winter storm warnings were in effect for much of northern California.
Six skiers from the group were located and were able to shelter in place, awaiting rescue.
Six skiers from the group were located and were able to shelter in place, awaiting rescue. However, ten skiers remained unaccounted for. Rescue ski teams from Boreal Mountain Ski Resort and Tahoe Donner's Alder Creek Adventure Center were dispatched to the scene.
An avalanche struck the Castle Peak area of Truckee, California, near Lake Tahoe, around 11:30 a.
An avalanche struck the Castle Peak area of Truckee, California, near Lake Tahoe, around 11:30 a.m. Pacific time. A group of 16 skiers, consisting of four guides and 12 clients, was caught in the slide. Authorities were alerted by the ski tour company and emergency beacons.