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Dangerous Conditions Hinder Search Teams After Deadly Avalanche Near California's Lake Tahoe
Eight skiers died and one remains missing after a high avalanche danger warning near Castle Peak; rescue efforts continue amid blizzard-like conditions, officials said.
- On Tuesday near Castle Peak, a 9,000-foot mountain in California's Sierra Nevada, an avalanche struck a group of fifteen backcountry skiers and guides, and by midday Wednesday rescue teams recovered eight skiers while one remained missing near Lake Tahoe, California.
- The Sierra Avalanche Center warned of high avalanche danger and large avalanches across backcountry terrain as blizzard-like conditions and two days of severe weather pummeled the region and Truckee received 11 inches of snow.
- Officials confirmed seven women and one man among the fatalities, including Boise resident Liz Claugh, 52, and reported six rescued skiers with varying injuries, two hospitalized.
- Crews planned to continue the search for the missing person, and after battling winds up to 40 miles per hour, search-and-rescue crews ramped up efforts Wednesday as Capt. Russell Greene warned the area is tough to access.
- Officials called the avalanche historically deadly, describing it as the deadliest U.S. avalanche since 1981 and the deadliest in modern California history, with coverage reaching Idaho and Boise as The New York Times and local CBS outlets reported.
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Skiers killed in California avalanche were close friends, experienced backcountry skiers
Six women killed in an avalanche in California's Sierra Nevada were among a group of eight close friends and experienced backcountry skiers on a trip together, their families said in a statement Thursday.
·Canada
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Tahoe Daily Tribune+2 Reposted by 2 other sources
Tahoe National Forest issues closure following avalanche near Castle Peak
TRUCKEE, Calif. — In response to a backcountry avalanche that occurred Feb. 17, 2026 resulting in multiple skier fatalities, Tahoe National Forest has issued the closure of all National Forest lands and trails in the Castle Peak area near Truckee, Calif. The closure is required for public and first responder safety and to provide for the recovery of the victims. Due to the current instability of the snowpack and need to prioritize first responde…
Coverage Details
Total News Sources19
Leaning Left1Leaning Right2Center9Last UpdatedBias Distribution75% Center
Bias Distribution
- 75% of the sources are Center
75% Center
C 75%
R 17%
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