Search Underway for Skiers After Avalanche in California Mountains

Rescue crews respond to reported avalanche near Lake Tahoe as powerful winter storm hits the state.

Published on Feb. 19, 2026

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Search and rescue crews are looking for multiple backcountry skiers feared missing after a reported avalanche in Northern California's Sierra Nevada mountains. The incident occurred as a powerful winter storm brought treacherous conditions to the region, including high avalanche danger in the backcountry areas.

Why it matters

Avalanches pose a serious risk to backcountry enthusiasts, with an average of 25-30 avalanche-related deaths in the U.S. each winter. This incident highlights the dangers of venturing into the backcountry during extreme winter weather, and the importance of proper safety precautions and emergency response capabilities in remote mountain areas.

The details

The Nevada County Sheriff's Office received a 911 call around 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday reporting an avalanche with people buried near the Castle Peak area northwest of Lake Tahoe. Search and rescue crews from the sheriff's office and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection responded to the scene. The Sierra Avalanche Center had warned of high avalanche danger in the region due to rapidly accumulating snowfall, weakening snowpack, and strong winds.

  • The 911 call reporting the avalanche was received around 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, February 17, 2026.
  • The powerful winter storm that contributed to the avalanche conditions was moving through California on Tuesday and into Wednesday.

The players

Nevada County Sheriff's Office

The local law enforcement agency that received the 911 call and coordinated the search and rescue response.

California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection

The state agency that assisted the sheriff's office in the search and rescue operation.

Sierra Avalanche Center

The organization that had warned of high avalanche danger in the region due to the winter storm conditions.

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What they’re saying

“It has been reported that a group of back country skiers was involved in the incident, with several members of the party missing at this time.”

— Nevada County Sheriff's Office (Facebook)

What’s next

Rescue crews will continue searching the area for any missing or buried skiers as the winter storm continues to impact the region.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the importance of exercising extreme caution when venturing into the backcountry during periods of high avalanche danger, and the critical role of well-coordinated search and rescue operations in responding to emergencies in remote mountain environments.