8 Skiers Dead After Avalanche Near Lake Tahoe

Rescue mission shifts to recovery as one person remains missing in deadly incident

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 battle near white-out conditions.

Why it matters

Avalanches are a serious 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 venturing into high-risk terrain, even with proper safety gear, and the challenges faced by rescue teams in whiteout conditions.

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 and left six skiers injured and nine unaccounted for initially. Rescue teams were able to make contact with the six survivors through an emergency satellite messaging service.

  • The avalanche occurred on Tuesday, February 18, 2026.
  • From Monday to Wednesday morning, about 30 inches of snow fell in the area, with more likely at the higher elevation of the avalanche site.
  • An avalanche warning was in effect for the Tahoe region on the day of the incident, with high risk at all aspects and any elevation.

The players

Nevada County Sheriff Shannan Moon

The sheriff who informed the families of the victims that the mission had shifted from rescue to recovery.

Blackbird Mountain Guides

The guiding company that was leading the backcountry skiing trip when the avalanche occurred.

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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 (today.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 tragic incident underscores the inherent risks of backcountry skiing, even for experienced skiers with proper safety gear. It serves as a somber reminder of the importance of avalanche awareness, careful route planning, and the challenges faced by rescue teams in extreme winter conditions.