Authorities Probe Possible Criminal Negligence in California Avalanche Deaths

Eight killed in deadliest U.S. avalanche in 45 years, investigation underway

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Investigators are working to determine if criminal negligence played a role in the avalanche that killed at least eight people on a guided backcountry ski trip in California's Sierra Nevada mountains. The Nevada County Sheriff's Office is conducting a parallel investigation alongside the coroner's death investigations, but cautioned it is too early to determine if any charges would be warranted.

Why it matters

This tragic incident highlights the inherent risks and dangers involved in backcountry skiing, especially during periods of heavy snowfall and unstable snowpack conditions. The investigation will examine whether the tour operator, Blackbird Mountain Guides, took adequate safety precautions and properly assessed the avalanche risk before leading the group into the backcountry.

The details

A group of 15 skiers, including four guides from Blackbird Mountain Guides, were heading back to a trailhead in heavy snow after a three-day excursion when the avalanche struck. Eight people were killed and a ninth was presumed to have died. Three of the guides were among those killed. Six survivors were rescued from the rugged Castle Peak area near Truckee, California.

  • The incident occurred on Tuesday, February 18, 2026.
  • Avalanche centers had warned of particularly dangerous conditions following a massive winter storm that dumped huge amounts of snow on mountains that had seen scant snowpack in the months prior.

The players

Nevada County Sheriff's Office

The law enforcement agency conducting a parallel investigation into whether criminal negligence was involved in the deadly avalanche.

Nevada County District Attorney's Office

The office that would decide on any possible charges related to the incident.

Blackbird Mountain Guides

The tour operator that organized the backcountry ski trip where the avalanche occurred. The company was founded in 2020 and provides guided ski trips, alpine climbing trips, and avalanche education.

Zeb Blais

The founder of Blackbird Mountain Guides, who mourned the loss of life and said the guides on the trip were highly trained in backcountry skiing and avalanche education.

Frank Carus

The director of the Bridger-Teton National Forest Avalanche Center in Wyoming and a former backcountry ski guide, who urged caution in drawing conclusions before the investigation is complete.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“There is still a lot we're learning about what happened. It's too soon to draw conclusions, but investigations are underway.”

— Zeb Blais, Founder, Blackbird Mountain Guides (Blackbird Mountain Guides)

“The main thing here is not to rush to judgment. The worst thing to do is to blame or shame before the facts are known.”

— Frank Carus, Director, Bridger-Teton National Forest Avalanche Center (Reuters)

What’s next

The Nevada County Sheriff's Office and District Attorney's Office will continue their investigations to determine if any criminal negligence was involved in the deadly avalanche. The results of these investigations will likely take several weeks to complete.

The takeaway

This tragic incident serves as a sobering reminder of the inherent risks and dangers associated with backcountry skiing, even for experienced guides and groups. The investigation will examine whether proper safety precautions and avalanche risk assessments were taken, and may lead to changes in industry practices to better protect skiers in the future.