Two Killed in Utah Avalanches as Weather Halts California Recovery

Dangerous conditions prevent rescuers from retrieving victims from recent backcountry slide

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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A man and a girl were killed in separate avalanche incidents in Utah over the past 24 hours, authorities said. Meanwhile, recovery efforts for victims of a deadly avalanche in Northern California have been halted due to hazardous weather conditions, with the operation expected to continue into the weekend.

Why it matters

Avalanche-related deaths are a tragic but persistent risk for outdoor enthusiasts in mountainous regions, highlighting the need for proper safety precautions and emergency response capabilities. The inability to immediately recover victims also adds to the anguish for the affected families and communities.

The details

In Utah, a 10-13 year old girl was killed in an avalanche near Brighton Ski Resort, while a man died in a separate slide in the Wasatch County area. In Northern California, a group of 15 people, including 4 guides and 11 clients of a tour company, were hit by an avalanche near Castle Peak on Tuesday, leaving 8 dead and 1 still missing. Dangerous weather is preventing recovery teams from safely extracting the victims' bodies from the mountain.

  • The Utah girl was killed in an avalanche shortly before 1 p.m. MST on Thursday.
  • The Utah man was killed in an avalanche on Wednesday around 4 p.m.
  • The Northern California avalanche occurred on Tuesday.
  • Recovery efforts in Northern California are expected to continue into the weekend.

The players

Utah Sheriff's Office

Authorities investigating the avalanche incidents in Utah.

Nevada County Sheriff's Office

Overseeing the recovery efforts in Northern California.

Sugar Bowl Academy

A private school for competitive skiers in Norden, California, with victims connected to the avalanche incident.

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What’s next

Recovery efforts in Northern California are expected to continue into the weekend as authorities work to safely extract the victims' bodies from the mountain.

The takeaway

These tragic avalanche incidents underscore the inherent risks of outdoor activities in mountainous regions and the importance of proper safety precautions, emergency response capabilities, and community support for those affected by such devastating events.