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Truckee Today
By the People, for the People
Two Fatalities Reported at Northstar Resort in Lake Tahoe
Incidents occurred over a nine-day period on the mountain's advanced trails
Published on Feb. 23, 2026
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Two separate incidents at the Northstar California Resort in Lake Tahoe have resulted in the deaths of two guests over the past two weeks. The first occurred on February 6, 2026, when 26-year-old Nicholas Kenworthy died on the advanced Martis Trail. The second incident on February 15 involved a collision between two guests on the advanced Polaris trail, resulting in the death of 53-year-old Stuart McLaughlin.
Why it matters
Ski resort safety and security are critical concerns, especially at popular destinations like Lake Tahoe. These tragic incidents raise questions about risk management, emergency response, and whether additional safety measures may be needed to prevent future accidents on the slopes.
The details
In the first incident on February 6, Northstar Ski Patrol responded to the Martis Trail and transferred care of Kenworthy to the Truckee Fire Department, where he was pronounced deceased. In the second incident on February 15, a collision between two guests on the Polaris trail resulted in the death of McLaughlin, while the other guest was transported to a local hospital for treatment.
- The first incident occurred on February 6, 2026.
- The second incident occurred on February 15, 2026.
The players
Nicholas Kenworthy
A 26-year-old guest who died on the advanced Martis Trail at Northstar Resort.
Stuart McLaughlin
A 53-year-old guest who died in a collision on the advanced Polaris trail at Northstar Resort.
Tara Schoedinger
The general manager of Northstar California Resort.
Truckee Fire Department
The emergency response team that responded to the first incident.
Northstar Fire Department
The emergency response team that responded to the second incident.
What they’re saying
“Northstar California Resort, Northstar Ski Patrol, and the entire Vail Resorts family extend our deepest sympathy and support to our guest's family, loved ones, and friends.”
— Tara Schoedinger, General Manager, Northstar California Resort (southtahoenow.com)
“We are deeply saddened by this tragic event, and the Northstar team extends our deepest condolences to the family, loved ones, and friends of the guests involved.”
— Tara Schoedinger, General Manager, Northstar California Resort (southtahoenow.com)
What’s next
Northstar Resort and local authorities are investigating the causes of both incidents to determine if any safety improvements or policy changes are needed to prevent future accidents.
The takeaway
These tragic deaths at Northstar Resort highlight the importance of ski area safety and the need for resorts to continuously evaluate and enhance their risk management practices to protect guests, especially on advanced terrain. The community will be looking to Northstar and local officials for answers and action to prevent similar incidents in the future.
