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Soda Springs Today
By the People, for the People
Deadly Tahoe Avalanche Leaves Recovery Efforts Stalled
Authorities cite 'hazardous weather conditions' as the reason behind the delay in recovering victims' bodies.
Published on Feb. 26, 2026
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Eight people have been found dead after a fatal backcountry avalanche near Lake Tahoe, California, with one person still missing and presumed deceased. Authorities say the difficult recovery process will continue into the weekend due to 'hazardous weather conditions' that are preventing the victims' bodies from being safely extracted from the mountain.
Why it matters
The deadly avalanche has devastated the local community, with multiple victims having strong connections to the nearby Sugar Bowl Resort and Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue team. The challenging recovery efforts highlight the dangers of backcountry skiing and the importance of safety precautions in such conditions.
The details
The avalanche occurred on the morning of Tuesday, Feb. 17 in the Castle Peak area of the Tahoe National Forest, impacting a group of 15 people who were on the final day of a three-day skiing trip. Eight people have been found dead, while a ninth person remains missing but is presumed deceased. The victims include seven women and two men, some of whom were mothers of children on a ski team at the nearby Sugar Bowl Resort.
- The avalanche occurred on the morning of Tuesday, Feb. 17.
- Authorities announced on Thursday, Feb. 19 that the recovery efforts would continue through the weekend.
The players
Nevada County Sheriff's Office
The law enforcement agency leading the recovery efforts and investigation into the deadly avalanche.
Sugar Bowl Academy
A ski school affiliated with the nearby Sugar Bowl Resort, which confirmed that multiple members of their community were among those killed in the avalanche.
Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue
A local search and rescue team that had one of its members' spouses killed in the avalanche.
What they’re saying
“The avalanche victims cannot be safely extracted off the mountain today.”
— Nevada County Sheriff's Office (People.com)
“Multiple members of the Sugar Bowl Academy community and others with strong connections to Sugar Bowl, Donner Summit, and the backcountry community were among those killed in the avalanche.”
— Sugar Bowl Academy (People.com)
What’s next
The Nevada County Sheriff's Office says the recovery efforts will continue through the weekend as they work to safely extract the victims' bodies from the mountain.
The takeaway
This tragic avalanche has devastated the tight-knit Tahoe community, underscoring the inherent risks of backcountry skiing and the importance of safety precautions in such conditions. The challenging recovery efforts highlight the dangerous realities faced by search and rescue teams in the aftermath of these types of disasters.
