Marin County Mother Among Skiers Killed In CA's Deadliest Avalanche

Multiple women from Mill Valley were part of the ski tour group hit by the deadly avalanche in the Tahoe National Forest.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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At least one of the victims of California's deadliest avalanche on Tuesday was a mother from Marin County, according to Mill Valley's mayor. The avalanche hit a group of 15 skiers, including clients and guides from the ski tour company Blackbird Mountain Guides, in the Sierra Nevada Mountains near Truckee. Eight skiers have died and a ninth is still missing, presumed dead, while six others were rescued.

Why it matters

Avalanches are a serious risk for backcountry skiers, and this incident highlights the dangers of these winter weather events, especially as climate change may be increasing their frequency and severity. The tragedy has deeply impacted the close-knit community of Mill Valley, where multiple victims resided.

The details

The avalanche occurred around 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday in the Castle Peak area of the Tahoe National Forest. Search and rescue crews were able to reach the site by 5:30 p.m. and rescue six survivors, two of whom had non-life-threatening injuries. Authorities are still working to recover the bodies of the nine skiers who died. This was the deadliest avalanche in California's history, surpassing a 1982 incident that killed seven people.

  • The avalanche occurred around 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, February 18, 2026.
  • Search and rescue crews reached the site by 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

The players

Max Perrey

The mayor of Mill Valley, California, who stated that multiple victims of the avalanche were mothers from his city.

Blackbird Mountain Guides

The ski tour company that organized the backcountry trek where the deadly avalanche occurred.

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What they’re saying

“Our heart in Mill Valley goes out to the families that have been impacted. It's a huge tragedy and a huge loss.”

— Max Perrey, Mayor of Mill Valley (The New York Times)

What’s next

Authorities are continuing efforts to recover the bodies of the nine skiers killed in the avalanche, but hazardous weather conditions are making the process difficult and dangerous.

The takeaway

This tragic avalanche incident serves as a sobering reminder of the risks inherent in backcountry skiing, and the need for thorough safety precautions and emergency preparedness when venturing into remote winter environments. The close-knit community of Mill Valley is grieving the loss of multiple residents in this devastating event.