Deadly Avalanche Near Lake Tahoe Prompts Risky Recovery Effort

Searchers face dangerous conditions as they work to recover victims from the deadly avalanche.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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An avalanche near Lake Tahoe on Tuesday killed at least eight skiers, making it the deadliest such incident in modern California history. Six others survived, but one person remains missing. Search and rescue teams are now facing treacherous conditions as they work to recover the victims, with heavy snow and the risk of additional avalanches posing serious threats to the searchers.

Why it matters

The deadly avalanche highlights the inherent dangers of backcountry skiing and the challenges faced by search and rescue teams in such extreme conditions. It also underscores the importance of proper preparation and caution when venturing into remote, snowy areas, as well as the reliance of many California communities on volunteer search and rescue personnel.

The details

The group of 15 skiers, including four guides from Blackbird Mountain Guides, were on a three-day backcountry skiing expedition near Frog Lake and Castle Peak when the avalanche struck. Six members of the group were able to call for help using emergency beacons and iPhone SOS functions, and rescuers made a perilous trek to reach them on Tuesday evening. However, at least eight others did not survive, and one person remains missing and presumed dead.

  • The avalanche occurred on Tuesday.
  • Rescue efforts continued into Wednesday, with searchers expected to work through the weekend.
  • Heavy snow is forecast to continue into Thursday, increasing the risk of additional avalanches.

The players

Nevada County Sheriff's Department

The law enforcement agency leading the search and rescue effort.

Blackbird Mountain Guides

The guiding company leading the backcountry skiing expedition when the avalanche occurred.

Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue team

A specialized search and rescue team in the Lake Tahoe area that lost one of its members in the avalanche.

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What they’re saying

“Initially, the call-out was much more high risk, since we had at least six survivors. We're going to take those risks when there's a chance people might not make it through the night.”

— Ashley Quadros, Spokeswoman, Nevada County Sheriff's Department (nytimes.com)

“Extreme weather conditions, I would say, is an understatement.”

— Shannan Moon, Sheriff, Nevada County (nytimes.com)

“I don't blame people for trying to push their limits. It comes with risk and loss.”

— Hardy Bullock, Nevada County Board of Supervisors (nytimes.com)

What’s next

Emergency officials are considering using aircraft to reach the victims if the weather improves, and the judge will decide on Tuesday whether to allow the lone survivor to be released on bail.

The takeaway

This tragic avalanche highlights the inherent dangers of backcountry skiing and the critical role that volunteer search and rescue teams play in responding to emergencies in remote, snowy areas. It underscores the need for proper preparation, caution, and respect for the power of nature when venturing into the backcountry.