In the wake of a devastating avalanche in California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, a tight-knit community of skiers and families is reeling from the deadliest U.S. avalanche in nearly half a century. The tragedy unfolded near Castle Peak, just northwest of Truckee, as a group of 15 skiers—many of them parents connected to the renowned Sugar Bowl Academy—were caught in a massive slide while returning from a three-day backcountry trip. Eight people are confirmed dead, with one still missing and presumed lost, leaving six survivors to tell the harrowing tale of endurance, heartbreak, and loss.
According to the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office, the group had spent two nights in the Frog Lake huts, rustic cabins owned by the Truckee Donner Land Trust, perched at 7,600 feet above sea level near Donner Summit. Their expedition, which began on Sunday, was meant to be a challenging but exhilarating adventure for a mix of experienced guides and avid skiers. But as a powerful winter storm barreled into the region, bringing whiteout conditions and unstable snow, the group’s return became a perilous ordeal.
Among those swept up in the avalanche were parents—mostly mothers—of students at Sugar Bowl Academy, a private independent school and ski training center for competitive youth athletes. The academy, located just a few miles south of Castle Peak in Norden, California, is a cornerstone of the Sierra ski community, drawing families from across Northern California, including Marin County and the Bay Area. As ABC News reported, “Multiple members of the Sugar Bowl Academy community and others with strong connections to Sugar Bowl, Donner Summit, and the backcountry community died in an avalanche on Tuesday, February 17, 2026.”
The academy’s executive director, Stephen McMahon, captured the anguish and unity of the community in a statement released Wednesday night: “We are an incredibly close and connected community. This tragedy has affected each and every one of us. The depth of support for the families whose lives have been changed forever reminds us of how special this community is.”
The group of 15—comprised of nine women and six men, including four professional guides from Blackbird Mountain Guides—had set out for a guided ski touring adventure. Their journey took them through the backcountry slopes of the Castle Peak area, a region cherished for its rugged beauty but known for the absence of avalanche control work. As Marin County’s Alex Alvarez, a former Sugar Bowl Academy student-athlete, reflected to local media, “I am pretty surprised that there were people out there backcountry skiing, but I don’t think it’s a matter of anybody’s skill. I think it’s more Mother Nature saying, ‘Hey, this is a bad time.’”
The avalanche struck as the group was making their way back to the trailhead, just as the storm was intensifying. Six people—four men and two women—managed to survive by sheltering under a tarp for hours amid what authorities described as “highly dangerous” conditions. According to the Bay Area News Group, the survivors, including a male guide and five women, were able to recover three bodies before rescue teams arrived about six hours after the slide. The Nevada County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that of the dead and missing, seven were women and two were men.
For the Sugar Bowl Academy community, the loss is almost unfathomable. The school, which provides both boarding and day programs for students in grades six through twelve and offers ski training for athletes aged five to twenty-three, is more than just an educational institution—it’s a family. Many families split their time between the Sierra Nevada and the Bay Area, forging bonds through shared training, competition, and a love of the mountains. Just days before the tragedy, the academy had hosted its annual winter soiree, celebrating another season of camaraderie and achievement.
“Student-athletes are offered world-class athletics and college preparatory academics in one place, all while celebrating grit, grace, and courage,” the academy said in a recent newsletter. The school’s mission and its close-knit nature have made the tragedy all the more profound, as parents, students, and staff grapple with the sudden loss of friends, mentors, and loved ones.
The reverberations of the avalanche have been felt far beyond the slopes of Castle Peak. In Mill Valley, Marin County, Mayor Max Perrey confirmed that some of the victims were mothers from his community, underscoring the deep ties between the Bay Area and the Sierra ski scene. “The only comment that I can possibly make is that it’s an absolute tragedy,” said Kurt Althof, a parent whose son skis in the Sugar Bowl race program. “My heart, my family’s heart, goes out to all of those that have been impacted by this.”
Authorities have not released the names of the victims, citing respect for the families and the ongoing recovery efforts. Emergency responders are still working to recover all the victims, and both the sheriff’s office and Sugar Bowl Academy have refrained from sharing personal details. As the school emphasized, “Sugar Bowl Academy is focused on supporting its athletes, students, staff, and families through this tragedy. Most importantly, the Sugar Bowl Academy community will continue to be there in the months and years ahead for the families that have lost loved ones.”
One of the deceased was also the spouse of a member of the Placer County Sheriff’s Office Nordic search and rescue team, adding another layer of sorrow to the tragedy. The avalanche is now the deadliest in California’s history and the worst in the United States since 1981, when an avalanche on Washington’s Mt. Rainier claimed 11 lives.
While the investigation into the exact circumstances of the avalanche continues, the focus for many remains on healing and remembrance. The Sugar Bowl Academy community, renowned for its resilience and unity, is rallying to provide comfort and support to those most affected. As McMahon wrote, “The best thing we can do is surround our athletes and families with care and support while providing the necessary space and time for grief and healing.”
The events of February 17 have left an indelible mark on the Sierra Nevada and its ski community. As families mourn and survivors begin the long process of recovery, the enduring spirit of Sugar Bowl Academy and its extended family is a testament to the power of community in the face of unimaginable loss.