Massive Avalanche Near California’s Lake Tahoe Leaves Dozens Stranded; Rescue Efforts Intensify
Truckee, California — Rescue operations are underway in Northern California after a powerful avalanche swept through a group of backcountry skiers in the Castle Peak area north of Lake Tahoe. The incident—triggered amid extreme winter weather—has left ten skiers missing while six others have been located alive and are either being brought to safety or awaiting extraction by emergency crews.
The avalanche struck on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at approximately 11:30 a.m. Pacific Time near the remote slopes of Castle Peak in the Sierra Nevada mountains, about 10 miles north of Lake Tahoe and close to Truckee, California. The ridge dropped on a party of 15–16 backcountry skiers—including four ski guides and about a dozen clients—who were completing a multi-day ski tour when they were engulfed by the slide.
Harsh Weather and High Avalanche Threat
The avalanche occurred during a fierce winter storm that has been dumping heavy snow across the Sierra Nevada range. The Sierra Avalanche Center had issued high avalanche danger warnings before the tragedy struck, warning that fresh snow, high winds and unstable snowpacks would create hazardous conditions in backcountry terrain—especially on north-facing slopes like those near Castle Peak.
Some areas in the region have already recorded more than 30–40 inches (76–102 cm) of new snow, and forecasts warned that certain high-elevation locations could accumulate up to eight feet (2.4 meters) of snow before the storm passes later this week. These conditions have exacerbated the risks and made travel extremely perilous, even for experienced winter adventurers.
As a result of the winter weather, several main highways and ski resort operations in and around Lake Tahoe were disrupted or temporarily closed during and after the storm, complicating access for rescue teams.
Survivors Located, Missing Skiers Still Unaccounted For
Emergency crews, including members from the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office, search-and-rescue teams, local fire departments and specialized ski patrol units, responded to the scene after receiving distress signals and emergency calls from the group. About 46 rescuers have been deployed so far, making slow but determined progress amid dangerous terrain and severe weather.
Six of the affected skiers have been located alive on the mountain itself, where they were instructed to shelter in place under tarps or improvised covers while waiting for rescuers to reach them. Some of these survivors are injured and will require medical evaluation and transport once conditions allow for safe extraction.
Officials are still trying to account for the remaining ten skiers, who at the time of reporting were still unaccounted for and presumed missing. The identities of those missing have not been publicly released, and authorities have not confirmed fatalities, underscoring the urgent hope that more survivors can be found.
Challenging Rescue Conditions
Search and rescue work in the region has been made especially difficult by blizzard-like weather, poor visibility, high winds and the risk of additional avalanches. Rescue crews have used snowmobiles, snowcats and teams on skis to approach the site as safely as possible, but progress has been cautious to avoid triggering secondary slides.
Whiteout conditions have limited visibility to mere feet in some areas, making navigation treacherous even for experienced rescuers. The ongoing avalanche risk means that every movement must be carefully assessed, with teams spread out to minimize danger if a secondary slide occurs. Deep snowpack has slowed travel significantly, with rescuers on skis breaking trail through fresh accumulation. The remote location of the slide requires extended approach times, with teams spending hours just reaching the search area. Freezing temperatures threaten the survival of anyone exposed, whether buried in snow or waiting for extraction.
Officials have maintained communication with some of the survivors through emergency beacons and satellite messaging devices that the skiers carried. This has helped rescuers pin down their approximate location and relay instructions for them to take shelter while waiting for extraction teams.
State authorities, including California Governor Gavin Newsom, have been briefed on the situation, with additional resources mobilised to support the search. Coordination is ongoing between local agencies, the sheriff’s office and specialised avalanche rescue units.
The Skiers: A Multi-Day Tour
The group involved in the avalanche was undertaking a multi-day backcountry ski tour, a demanding adventure that requires extensive experience, proper equipment, and careful route planning. Such tours typically involve navigating remote terrain without resort infrastructure, carrying all necessary gear including food, shelter, and safety equipment, making real-time decisions about route and conditions, relying on guides for avalanche assessment and route finding, and using beacons, probes, and shovels for potential rescue scenarios.
That the group carried satellite communication devices has proven crucial, enabling contact with rescuers and precise location identification despite the challenging conditions.
Backcountry Risks Highlighted
Backcountry skiing—defined as skiing outside controlled resort boundaries—carries inherent risks, particularly in high avalanche danger conditions. Although participants often carry safety gear like beacons, shovels and probes designed for self-rescue, even well-equipped skiers can be overwhelmed by large slides when snowpacks are unstable.
Avalanche safety requires checking forecasts before any backcountry travel, carrying proper equipment including beacon, probe, and shovel, traveling with experienced partners who know rescue techniques, avoiding terrain when danger ratings are high, and making conservative decisions when conditions are uncertain.
Experts have advised that travel in or near avalanche terrain should be avoided when warning levels are high, and the incident at Castle Peak is likely to draw renewed attention to the dangers posed to outdoor enthusiasts during intense winter storms.
The Avalanche Forecast
The Sierra Avalanche Center had issued clear warnings before the incident, stating that high avalanche danger exists on all aspects above treeline, with natural avalanches likely and human-triggered avalanches very likely. Their advisory explicitly recommended against travel in avalanche terrain.
Despite such warnings, experienced backcountry travellers sometimes underestimate risk, particularly when planning multi-day tours with fixed schedules. The pressure to complete planned routes can conflict with safety judgments.
A Somber Wait and Ongoing Search
As night falls and temperatures plummet high in the Sierra Nevada wilderness, rescue teams continue their efforts against a backdrop of heavy snowfall. The fate of the missing skiers remains uncertain, and emergency workers face a race against elements to locate and rescue every person swept up in the slide.
Critical factors in survival include time buried, as survival rates drop dramatically after 15-30 minutes, injuries sustained from the slide itself which may be fatal, air pockets crucial for those completely buried, weather exposure threatening hypothermia for those partially buried, and rescue speed as every hour reduces chances of survival.
For the six survivors located alive, the immediate priority is safe extraction. For the ten still missing, each passing hour deepens concern.
Community Response
The Lake Tahoe and Truckee communities have rallied around the rescue effort, with local businesses providing support services and lodging for rescue teams. The tight-knit mountain community understands the risks of winter recreation and the importance of mutual support when tragedy strikes.
Family members of the missing skiers have gathered, awaiting news with anxiety and hope. Officials have established family support services and communication channels to provide updates as information becomes available.
Looking Ahead
The rescue operation will continue through the night and into the coming days as conditions permit. Each survivor brought to safety represents a victory against the elements. Each missing skier found alive would be cause for celebration.
For now, the survival of the stranded skiers and the progress of rescue operations remain the immediate focus of authorities and family members alike, as the wider community watches and prays for the missing to be found safe in the coming hours.
Ten missing. Six rescued. A mountain holds its breath.
