The High Sierra near Lake Tahoe, California, is known for its breathtaking vistas, deep powder, and adventurous spirit. But on Tuesday, February 18, 2026, that spirit collided with tragedy when a massive avalanche swept through the slopes just north of Interstate Highway 80, near Castle Peak and the Frog Lake Backcountry Huts. The result: nine lives lost in what officials are calling the deadliest avalanche in modern California history.
According to the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office, the avalanche struck at approximately 11:30 a.m., catching a group of 15 backcountry skiers off guard as they navigated the mountain terrain. The group included three professional guides from Blackbird Mountain Guides and twelve clients, many of whom were close friends who had planned the trip together. Six survived, but nine did not.
Authorities identified the victims as Andrew Alissandratos, 34, of Verdi, Nevada; Nicole Choo, 42, of South Lake Tahoe; Michael Henry, 30, of Soda Springs—all guides with Blackbird Mountain Guides. The remaining victims were Carrie Atkin, 46, of Soda Springs; Lizabeth Clabaugh, 52, of Boise, Idaho; Danielle Keatley, 44, of Soda Springs and Larkspur; Kate Morse, 45, of Soda Springs and Tiburon; Caroline Sekar, 45, of Soda Springs and San Francisco; and Katherine Vitt, 43, of Greenbrae. The loss has sent shockwaves through tight-knit mountain communities across California and Idaho.
The rescue and recovery effort was hampered by dangerous weather. As reported by Bay City News, continued snowfall and unstable conditions forced authorities to delay the recovery of the victims’ bodies until it was safe to resume operations. Five bodies were recovered on Friday, February 20, and the remaining four on Saturday morning, February 21. The area around Castle Peak in Tahoe National Forest was closed by the U.S. Forest Service until at least March 15 due to the instability of the snowpack, with the closure potentially being lifted earlier if conditions improve.
For the families and friends of the victims, the pain is profound. In a joint statement, some of the families said, “They were experienced backcountry skiers who deeply respected the mountains. They were trained and prepared for backcountry travel and trusted their professional guides on this trip.” According to Patch, the group had planned the trip well in advance, and several of the women who died were part of a close circle of friends—many of them mothers—who cherished time together in the mountains. The Los Angeles Times reported that among the group were sisters, Lizabeth Clabaugh and Caroline Sekar, whose brother described them as “incredible sisters, mothers, wives and friends.”
Governor Gavin Newsom expressed his condolences at a press conference in Colma, saying, “Our hearts go out to those who lost their lives and a community of skiers and a community of families from the Bay Area.” Nevada County Sheriff Shannan Moon also offered words of support: “There are no words that truly capture the significance of this loss and our hearts mourn alongside the families of those affected by this catastrophic event. The weight of this event is felt across many families, friends, and colleagues, and we stand together with them during this difficult time.”
Details of the disaster reveal just how quickly conditions can turn deadly in the backcountry. According to Rusty Greene, operations captain for the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office, the group was struggling through a blizzard on the morning of the avalanche. As they were just a couple of miles from safety, a wall of snow—estimated to be the size of a football field—barreled toward them. Someone shouted, “Avalanche!” but there was little time to react. Six people were rescued that evening, including one guide and two members of the friend group. At least two survivors were hospitalized with injuries but are expected to recover, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Despite warnings from forecasters on February 15 that the largest winter storm of the season was headed for the High Sierra, Blackbird Mountain Guides proceeded with the trip. The company, known for offering backcountry ski excursions, advertised the Frog Lake huts trip as a way to access “some of the best backcountry skiing terrain in North Lake Tahoe.” The huts, owned by the Truckee Donner Land Trust, require a trek of several hours from the trailhead, passing through well-known avalanche terrain. The Land Trust warns that the journey is not for the inexperienced and that avalanche danger is always present in these mountains.
For many, the question lingers: why would anyone risk backcountry skiing during a major storm? As Dave Miller, owner of International Alpine Guides in June Lake, told the Los Angeles Times, “Backcountry skiers do [this] all the time, just like resort skiers do. There are safe ways to do it, even in high [avalanche] danger.” He added that most of the backcountry isn’t dangerous avalanche terrain and that, with the right training and equipment, the risk can be managed—but never eliminated. The allure of untouched powder and the solitude of the mountains often outweigh the risks for enthusiasts, even as the grim reality of avalanches remains ever-present.
This tragedy has reignited debate within the outdoor community about the balance of adventure and safety. Some point to the increasing popularity of backcountry skiing—fueled by crowded resorts and the desire for pristine snow—as a factor in the growing number of incidents. Others emphasize the importance of education, preparation, and respect for the mountains. As the Los Angeles Times noted, reviews of Blackbird Mountain Guides suggest that the company had previously taken clients out during storms, reflecting a culture where skiing in challenging conditions is not uncommon.
The closure of the Castle Peak area by the U.S. Forest Service underscores the seriousness of the situation. Officials hope that the pause will allow the snowpack to stabilize and prevent further tragedies. The investigation into the circumstances leading up to the avalanche is ongoing, with families of the victims still seeking answers about what went wrong and whether anything could have been done differently.
As the community mourns, the legacy of those lost will be remembered not just for their adventurous spirit but for the bonds of friendship and family that brought them together in the mountains they loved. Their story is a somber reminder of both the beauty and the peril found in California’s wild places.