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Soda Springs Today
By the People, for the People
Rescuers Race to Save 6 Skiers Trapped in California Avalanche
10 other skiers remain missing as danger of more slides persists in the rugged Northern California mountains.
Published on Feb. 20, 2026
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Rescue crews are battling blizzard conditions to reach six backcountry skiers who are still alive but trapped after an avalanche in the Castle Peak area of the Sierra Nevada mountains. The avalanche left 10 other skiers missing, and the danger of additional slides remains high as a powerful winter storm moves through the region.
Why it matters
Backcountry skiing is a popular but risky activity, and this incident highlights the dangers posed by avalanches in remote mountain areas, especially during severe winter weather. The rescue efforts are complicated by the ongoing storm and the risk of further avalanches, underscoring the challenges faced by first responders in these types of emergencies.
The details
The group of 16 skiers, including 12 clients and 4 guides from the Blackbird Mountain Guides company, were on the last day of a three-day backcountry skiing trip in the Castle Peak area when the avalanche occurred around 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday. Rescue crews dispatched to the Frog Lake area have located 6 of the skiers alive and in communication via emergency beacons, but 10 others remain missing. The rescue teams are using snowcats, snowmobiles, and skiers to reach the trapped skiers, but the process is slow and cautious due to the high risk of triggering additional avalanches.
- The avalanche was reported around 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, February 18, 2026.
- Rescue efforts are ongoing as of Tuesday afternoon.
The players
Blackbird Mountain Guides
The company leading the backcountry skiing trip that was hit by the avalanche.
Nevada County Sheriff's Office
The local law enforcement agency coordinating the rescue efforts.
Steve Reynaud
A Tahoe National Forest avalanche forecaster with the Sierra Avalanche Center.
Russell Greene
A captain with the Nevada County Sheriff's Office.
Brandon Schwartz
The Tahoe National Forest lead avalanche forecaster at the Sierra Avalanche Center.
What they’re saying
“They are doing the best they can. They have taken refuge in an area, they have made up a makeshift shelter with a tarp and are doing everything they can to survive and wait for rescue.”
— Russell Greene, Captain, Nevada County Sheriff's Office (KCRA-TV)
“It's particularly dangerous in the backcountry right now just because we're at the height of the storm.”
— Brandon Schwartz, Tahoe National Forest Lead Avalanche Forecaster, Sierra Avalanche Center (wgnradio.com)
What’s next
Rescue crews will continue their efforts to reach the trapped skiers, but the process is expected to be slow and cautious due to the ongoing severe weather and high risk of additional avalanches.
The takeaway
This incident underscores the inherent dangers of backcountry skiing, especially during extreme winter storms, and the critical importance of proper training, equipment, and safety precautions for those venturing into remote mountain terrain. It also highlights the challenges faced by first responders in conducting rescue operations in such treacherous conditions.
