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Truckee Today
By the People, for the People
Deadly Avalanche Kills Six Mothers on Backcountry Ski Trip
The victims were experienced skiers who bonded over their love of the outdoors.
Published on Feb. 28, 2026
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A group of six mothers who were part of a larger backcountry skiing expedition were killed in an avalanche near Lake Tahoe on Tuesday. The victims, who were all experienced skiers, were on a guided, two-night trip to the Frog Lake Backcountry Huts outside Truckee, California. Two other skiers in the group survived the avalanche.
Why it matters
Avalanche accidents are a tragic reality in the backcountry skiing community, highlighting the inherent risks and need for proper safety precautions. This incident has deeply impacted the tight-knit Sugar Bowl Academy community, where several of the victims were members.
The details
The victims were identified as Carrie Atkin, Liz Clabaugh, Danielle Keatley, Kate Morse, Caroline Sekar, and Kate Vitt. Sekar and Clabaugh were sisters. The group of eight women were on a guided, multi-day backcountry skiing trip when the avalanche struck. In total, eight skiers were killed, and another is still missing and presumed dead.
- The avalanche occurred on Tuesday, February 18, 2026.
- As of Thursday night, February 20, 2026, rescuers had found the bodies of eight skiers killed in the avalanche.
The players
Carrie Atkin
One of the six mothers killed in the avalanche near Lake Tahoe.
Liz Clabaugh
One of the six mothers killed in the avalanche near Lake Tahoe, and the sister of Caroline Sekar.
Danielle Keatley
One of the six mothers killed in the avalanche near Lake Tahoe.
Kate Morse
One of the six mothers killed in the avalanche near Lake Tahoe.
Caroline Sekar
One of the six mothers killed in the avalanche near Lake Tahoe, and the sister of Liz Clabaugh.
Kate Vitt
One of the six mothers killed in the avalanche near Lake Tahoe.
What’s next
Authorities are continuing to investigate the cause of the avalanche and search for the one skier still missing.
The takeaway
This tragic incident serves as a sobering reminder of the inherent risks of backcountry skiing and the importance of proper safety precautions, even for experienced skiers. The close-knit community of the Sugar Bowl Academy has been deeply impacted by this loss.
