TRUCKEE, CALIFORNIA (Azat TV) – Nine backcountry skiers remain missing near Lake Tahoe’s Castle Peak area after a massive avalanche engulfed their group on Tuesday, February 17, 2026. Search and rescue operations are intensifying but face severe challenges from ongoing blizzard conditions, heavy snowfall, and persistent high avalanche danger in the central Sierra Nevada.
The incident occurred around 11:30 AM PST in rugged terrain approximately 10 miles north of Lake Tahoe, impacting a group of 15 individuals, including four experienced guides and 11 clients, who were on the final day of a three-day hut trip. Six individuals were successfully located and rescued, though two required hospitalization for treatment, according to the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office.
Intensified Search for Missing Lake Tahoe Skiers
As of Wednesday, February 18, nearly 50 emergency responders from multiple agencies are actively engaged in the search for the nine missing skiers. Teams from the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office, Placer County Sheriff’s Office, Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue, Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, Truckee Fire, and ski rescue teams from Boreal Mountain Resort and Tahoe Donner’s Alder Creek Adventure Center are working collaboratively. California Governor Gavin Newsom has been briefed on the situation, and state authorities are coordinating an ‘all-hands search-and-rescue effort’ with local teams, his office confirmed on X.
The group was traveling with Blackbird Mountain Guides, a company founded by IFMGA-certified mountain guide Zeb Blais. Blackbird Mountain Guides stated they are in constant communication with the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office and local Search and Rescue teams. They indicated a further statement would be provided following the Sheriff’s Office press briefing scheduled for Wednesday morning.
Treacherous Conditions Hinder Rescue Operations
Rescue efforts are severely hampered by the powerful winter storm that continues to batter the region. Blizzard conditions, near-whiteout visibility, gale-force winds, and snowfall rates of 1-3 inches per hour are making access and operations extremely difficult. The town of Soda Springs, near the avalanche site, recorded at least 30 inches of snow in a 24-hour period, and forecasters predict up to eight feet of snow for the western slope of the Sierra Nevada before the storm subsides late Wednesday. Interstate 80 and Highway 50, vital mountain thoroughfares, have been closed due to the treacherous conditions, further complicating logistics for rescue personnel.
The six individuals who were rescued had initially taken refuge in a makeshift shelter, partly constructed from tarpaulin sheets, communicating with rescuers via radio beacon and text messaging, as reported by The Guardian. It took several hours for rescue personnel to safely reach them and transport them to safety.
Avalanche Warning Issued Prior to Incident
The avalanche occurred under an active Avalanche Warning issued at 5:00 AM on February 17 by the Sierra Avalanche Center (SAC). The warning explicitly stated that ‘HIGH avalanche danger exists in the backcountry’ and advised against travel in, near, or below avalanche terrain. SAC forecasts showed avalanche danger escalating from Low to Moderate starting February 10, culminating in two consecutive days of High danger across all aspects and elevations leading into the storm cycle. As of Wednesday, HIGH danger (4 out of 5 on the rating scale) remains in effect. The avalanche that trapped the skiers was rated as a D2.5, indicating it was large enough to injure, bury, or kill people.
This incident adds to an already tragic season, with the National Avalanche Center tallying six avalanche fatalities nationwide prior to this event, according to Ski Mag. Officials continue to urge the public to avoid backcountry avalanche terrain while the HIGH danger persists.
Historical Context of Sierra Nevada Avalanches
While multi-person avalanche incidents are rare, they are not without precedent in U.S. history. The Tunnel Creek avalanche in Washington state on February 19, 2012, involved 16 experienced backcountry skiers, including professional athletes, and resulted in three deaths. In California, the Alpine Meadows avalanche on March 31, 1982, claimed seven lives when a powerful Sierra storm triggered a massive slide into the ski area’s base buildings. One individual miraculously survived after being buried for five days.
The challenging and unpredictable nature of the Sierra Nevada backcountry, particularly during severe winter storms and under explicit avalanche warnings, underscores the inherent risks even for experienced groups with certified guides. The ongoing rescue operation highlights the extraordinary efforts required to navigate such extreme conditions, prioritizing the safety of both the missing and the dedicated first responders.