Families of Deadly California Avalanche Victims Near Lake Tahoe Issue Statement

Eight close friends on a guided backcountry ski trip were killed in the avalanche, the deadliest in California history.

Feb. 27, 2026 at 4:07am

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The identities of some of the victims of the deadly California avalanche near Lake Tahoe became known on Thursday. A spokesperson for six of the avalanche victims identified them as Carrie Atkin, Liz Clabaugh, Danielle Keatley, Kate Morse, Caroline Sekar, and Kate Vitt, residents of the Bay Area, Idaho, and the Truckee-Tahoe region. The families issued a statement expressing their devastation and grief over the sudden and profound loss.

Why it matters

The avalanche near Lake Tahoe was the deadliest in California history and the fourth-deadliest in U.S. history, highlighting the dangers of backcountry skiing and the need for proper safety precautions. The victims were experienced skiers who trusted their professional guides, raising questions about the safety protocols and training of the guiding company.

The details

Eight close friends planned a professionally guided, two-night backcountry hut trip to Frog Lake Huts outside Truckee, California. They were experienced backcountry skiers who were fully equipped with avalanche safety gear. However, they were caught in an avalanche on Tuesday near Castle Peak in Nevada County, north of Boreal Mountain Ski Resort, as a heavy snowstorm brought blizzard conditions to the higher elevations.

  • On Wednesday, the Sugar Bowl Academy in Placer County said multiple members of the community and others with strong connections died in the avalanche.
  • On Thursday, the identities of some of the victims became known.

The players

Carrie Atkin

One of the victims of the deadly California avalanche near Lake Tahoe.

Liz Clabaugh

One of the victims of the deadly California avalanche near Lake Tahoe.

Danielle Keatley

One of the victims of the deadly California avalanche near Lake Tahoe.

Kate Morse

One of the victims of the deadly California avalanche near Lake Tahoe.

Caroline Sekar

One of the victims of the deadly California avalanche near Lake Tahoe.

Kate Vitt

A former SiriusXM executive from the Bay Area who was one of the victims of the deadly California avalanche near Lake Tahoe.

Blackbird Mountain Guides

The company that led the skiers on the three-day backcountry excursion during conditions that had triggered an avalanche warning.

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What they’re saying

“We are devastated beyond words. Our focus right now is supporting our children through this incredible tragedy and honoring the lives of these extraordinary women. They were all mothers, wives and friends, all of whom connected through the love of the outdoors. They were passionate, skilled skiers who cherished time together in the mountains.”

— Spokesperson, for six of the avalanche victims' families

What’s next

California's Division of Occupational Safety and Health told CBS News Sacramento that it was investigating Blackbird Mountain Guides, the company that led the skiers on the three-day backcountry excursion.

The takeaway

This tragic avalanche highlights the inherent risks of backcountry skiing, even for experienced skiers, and the need for rigorous safety protocols and training for guiding companies leading such excursions. The devastating loss of life has deeply impacted the local communities and raised important questions about how to prevent such tragedies in the future.