Avalanche Strikes Northern California Backcountry During Severe Winter Storm
Six backcountry skiers have been located alive, but 10 others remain missing following an avalanche in the Castle Peak area northwest of Lake Tahoe in Northern California. The incident occurred on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, as a powerful winter storm swept through the state, bringing treacherous conditions including heavy snowfall, high winds, and thunderstorms.
Search and Rescue Efforts Underway
Authorities were alerted to the avalanche at approximately 11:30 a.m. when a 911 call reported people buried in the snow. Ashley Quadros, a spokesperson for the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office, confirmed that the six skiers found are still awaiting rescue. The group consisted of four ski guides and 12 clients, highlighting the risks associated with backcountry travel during extreme weather.
Multiple agencies, including the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office Search & Rescue team and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, are combing the Castle Peak area. This region, a popular destination for backcountry skiing, is facing heightened avalanche danger due to rapidly accumulating snow on fragile snowpack layers, exacerbated by gale-force winds.
Dangerous Conditions and Warnings
According to the Sierra Avalanche Center based in Truckee, the Central Sierra Nevada, including the Greater Lake Tahoe region, is under a high avalanche danger alert. Large slides are expected to continue through Wednesday, prompting experts to strongly discourage travel in, near, or below avalanche terrain. Brandon Schwartz, lead avalanche forecaster at the Tahoe National Forest, emphasized the particular peril in the backcountry, stating, “It’s particularly dangerous in the backcountry right now just because we’re at the height of the storm.”
The storm has led to significant disruptions:
- Several ski resorts around Lake Tahoe have been fully or partially closed due to extreme weather, though they have avalanche mitigation programs in place.
- In the nearby town of Soda Springs, at least 30 inches of snow fell in the last 24 hours, according to Soda Springs Mountain Resort.
- Forecasters predict up to 8 feet of snow in some areas, including parts of Interstate 5 and the Pacific Coast Range, before the storm subsides late Wednesday.
Broader Impacts and Historical Context
The winter storm has wreaked havoc across Northern California, causing traffic halts on major roadways like Interstate 80 near the Nevada state line due to spinouts and crashes. This incident underscores the ongoing risks of avalanches in the region; in January, a snowmobiler was killed in a similar event. Nationally, avalanches claim 25 to 30 lives each winter in the United States, according to the National Avalanche Center.
Experts rely on eyewitness reports to track avalanche occurrences, as conditions remain volatile. With rescue operations ongoing and weather forecasts indicating continued severe conditions, authorities urge caution and adherence to safety advisories for all outdoor activities in affected areas.
