Lake Tahoe avalanche tragedy: Searchers recover eight bodies near Castle Peak as investigators probe decision to go out during warning
Nine people died in an avalanche near Castle Peak northwest of Lake Tahoe on Feb. 17, 2026, as a backcountry skiing group ended a three-day trek — California’s deadliest avalanche in modern records, the nation’s worst in nearly 50 years.
Key takeaways
- Fatalities and survivors: Authorities recovered eight bodies and treat a ninth person as presumed dead; the party numbered 15 (11 participants, 4 paid guides).
- Timing and conditions: Slide struck about 11:30 a.m. as the group finished a three-day trek; the Sierra Avalanche Center had issued a watch then upgraded to a warning hours before.
- Guides and accountability: Three of four Blackbird Mountain Guides professionals are among the dead; investigators are reviewing trip planning and whether the warning was received.
- Recovery challenges: Rescue and recovery were delayed by hazardous weather, fresh snow reloading the path, high winds and low visibility.
The avalanche and immediate response
The slide reportedly swept over the group suddenly. Witnesses described a wall of snow the size of a football field before the avalanche overtook the party. Nevada County Sheriff’s Captain Russell “Rusty” Greene said, “They had little time to react.”
A 911 distress call was placed around 11:30 a.m.; rescue teams reached six survivors at about 5:30 p.m. after skiing approximately two miles in extreme conditions. Teams faced heavy wind, low visibility and continued avalanche danger that limited immediate access to the scene. (Sources: Los Angeles Times, KUNR)
Who was on the trip
The party included 11 participants — eight described as close friends who organized the trek — and four paid guides from Truckee-based Blackbird Mountain Guides. Investigators say three of the four professional guides were killed; one guide survived. The group ranged in age from roughly 30 to 55 and included both women and men. Family members identified six women who died: Carrie Atkin, Liz Clabaugh, Danielle Keatley, Kate Morse, Caroline Sekar and Kate Vitt, who lived in the Bay Area, Idaho and the Truckee–Tahoe region and were described as skilled backcountry skiers. (Sources: Los Angeles Times, KUNR)
Avalanche forecasting and the decision to go
The Sierra Avalanche Center issued an avalanche watch on Sunday morning and upgraded to an avalanche warning hours before the accident, indicating avalanches were expected. Investigators are examining why the trip proceeded and whether guides or participants received the updated warning before heading into the backcountry. Blackbird Mountain Guides’ founder Zeb Blais said the company is cooperating with investigators and reviewing communications between field guides and senior staff. (Source: KUNR, Los Angeles Times)
Rescue challenges and safety risks
Recovery operations were slowed by hazardous weather and fresh snow that reloaded the avalanche path, meaning victims could be buried again and rescuers placed at greater risk. Sheriff Greene warned that prolonging field operations in unsafe conditions could increase danger to first responders. Placer County Sheriff Wayne Woo urged the public to avoid the Sierra during the storm and in the days after, as emergency teams were stretched responding to multiple incidents. Investigators will review trip planning, communications, guide decision‑making and the timing of weather alerts to determine whether mistakes or misjudgments contributed to the tragedy. (Source: KUNR)
Family statements and community response
Families of the deceased released a joint statement saying they are “devastated beyond words” and asked for privacy as they grieve. Sugar Bowl Academy’s executive director Stephen McMahon said the loss has affected their “incredibly close and connected community.” Local groups, schools and outdoor organizations are expected to organize vigils, fundraisers and support services in the coming days. (Sources: MyNews4, Los Angeles Times)
Why this is the California deadliest avalanche
Officials and avalanche researchers point to a combination of heavy snowfall, unstable snowpack layers and a reloaded slope as creating extreme and deadly conditions. The size of the slide and the number of trained backcountry users caught in it make this the deadliest avalanche in California in modern records and the most lethal in the United States in almost 50 years. (Sources: KUNR, Los Angeles Times)
Implications for Las Vegas, Nevada
The tragedy has regional implications across economic, emergency response and recreational domains. Las Vegas serves as a major gateway for winter travelers to Tahoe; fewer visitors may affect tourism revenue, shuttles and guides. Southern Nevada emergency managers may be asked to provide mutual aid for extended recovery efforts, and local outdoor providers can expect increased demand for avalanche training and safety courses.
Economic impact
Travel patterns could change this season, leading to cancellations and slower business for ski shuttles, rental services and tour operators. Local companies and hotels should proactively inform customers about route changes, contingencies and refund policies.
Public safety and emergency response
Mutual-aid assets may be drawn from neighboring jurisdictions. Agencies that deploy to mountain rescues should review deployment plans, safety protocols and family-support measures. The strain on resources underscores the need for clear protocols when hazardous weather is forecast.
Outdoor recreation and community response
Many Las Vegas residents travel to Tahoe for backcountry skiing. This event is a reminder that experienced skiers remain at risk in unstable conditions. Recreation leaders should emphasize checking the Sierra Avalanche Center and carrying proper rescue gear — beacon, probe, shovel — and knowing how to use it.
Policy and regulatory questions
The investigation into why a guided trip proceeded amid a watch and then a warning could prompt reviews of industry guidance for commercial guiding operations, hazard communication and shared responsibilities for client safety. State and federal regulators, industry groups and lawmakers may consider revisions to improve warnings, data sharing and training.
Practical advice for residents
- Avoid travel to the Sierra during ongoing storms and avalanche warnings; follow official guidance from the Sierra Avalanche Center.
- Prepare for backcountry trips: check current avalanche forecasts, carry and practice with beacon, probe and shovel, and ensure communication lines with guides before heading out.
- Providers: update customers promptly about route changes, safety contingencies and refund or rescheduling policies.
Investigations and next steps
Authorities will examine trip planning, communications, weather briefings and guide decision-making. Blackbird Mountain Guides has said it is cooperating with investigators. Federal and state agencies, along with local law enforcement, are expected to participate in reviews to determine whether safety lapses occurred and whether policy or industry guidance should change. Officials urged patience and privacy for families as identification and recovery continue under dangerous conditions. (Sources: Los Angeles Times, KUNR, MyNews4)
Source links for this report
- KUNR: Lake Tahoe avalanche coverage
- Los Angeles Times: Sierra avalanche disaster victims
- MyNews4: Families mourn Castle Peak avalanche victims
“They had little time to react,” — Nevada County Sheriff’s Captain Russell “Rusty” Greene, describing the suddenness of the slide. (Source: Los Angeles Times)
