8 Skiers Dead After Avalanche Near Lake Tahoe

Rescue mission turns to recovery as authorities search for one missing person

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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Eight people were killed in an avalanche during a backcountry skiing expedition on the California side of Lake Tahoe on Tuesday, authorities said. Six others in the party survived, but one person is still missing and presumed dead as searchers fight near white-out conditions.

Why it matters

Avalanches are a major risk for backcountry skiers, with an average of 27 avalanche deaths per year in the U.S. over the past decade. This incident highlights the dangers of skiing in remote, high-risk terrain, especially during periods of heavy snowfall and poor visibility.

The details

The avalanche struck at around 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, sometime after the group of skiers had left a set of backcountry huts at Frog Lake. The avalanche was about a football field in length. Rescue teams were dispatched but had to traverse risky avalanche terrain in a whiteout to reach the surviving skiers, who had taken shelter in a treed area.

  • The avalanche occurred on Tuesday, February 18, 2026.
  • From Monday to Wednesday morning, about 30 inches of snow fell in the area.

The players

Shannan Moon

The Nevada County Sheriff who informed families that the mission had shifted from rescue to recovery.

Blackbird Mountain Guides

The guiding company that had four guides leading the skiing trip when the avalanche struck.

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What they’re saying

“We did have conversation with the families of the folks that are still outstanding and let them know that our mission has went from a rescue to a recovery.”

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

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the inherent risks of backcountry skiing and the need for thorough preparation, safety gear, and vigilance when venturing into high-alpine terrain, especially during periods of heavy snowfall and poor visibility.