Deadly Avalanche Claims Parents of Sugar Bowl Academy Students

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A group of skiers, mostly parents of students at a local school and ski academy, were caught in a deadly avalanche in California's Sierra Nevada Mountains on Tuesday. Eight people have been confirmed dead, and one other person is still missing and presumed dead. The tragedy is the second-deadliest avalanche in U.S. history.

Why it matters

The victims were part of the close-knit community of the Sugar Bowl Academy, a private school focused on competitive skiing. The loss of these parents will have a profound impact on the school and the local area, highlighting the risks inherent in backcountry skiing and the need for improved avalanche safety measures.

The details

According to authorities, a group of 15 skiers were caught in the avalanche during a three-day guided trip. Eight people were killed, and one person is still missing and presumed dead. Of the deceased, seven are women and two are men. Six people survived the avalanche and were rescued after sheltering under a tarp for hours.

• The avalanche occurred on Tuesday, February 17, 2026.
• The victims were on a three-day guided ski trip when the tragedy struck.

What’s next

Authorities are still working to recover all of the victims and are not yet sharing personal details of the victims and survivors out of respect for the affected families.