On the morning of February 17, 2026, the usually serene slopes of Castle Peak, just north of Truckee in California’s Sierra Nevada, became the scene of a harrowing search-and-rescue operation. A powerful winter storm had been battering the Lake Tahoe region for days, dumping feet of new snow and unleashing fierce winds. Amid these treacherous conditions, a group of 16 backcountry skiers—four guides and twelve clients—set out from the Frog Lake huts, aiming to complete a three-day trip with Blackbird Mountain Guides. Their journey, however, was violently interrupted by a massive avalanche that swept through the steep terrain near Donner Pass around 11:30 a.m., according to the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office.
The scale of the disaster quickly became apparent. As of 4 p.m. that day, ten skiers remained unaccounted for, while six survivors were found sheltering in place, doing their best to endure the storm with makeshift tarp shelters, as reported by KCRA 3. The survivors were awaiting rescue in the midst of relentless snowfall and whiteout conditions. Emergency responders, including specialized ski teams and a snowcat unit, were dispatched from Boreal Mountain Ski Resort and Tahoe Donner’s Alder Creek Adventure Center, but the journey to reach those trapped was challenging and perilous.
In total, 46 first responders—including teams from the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office, Placer County Sheriff’s Office, Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue, Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, Washoe County Search and Rescue, and Truckee Fire—were mobilized for the mission. The rescue effort was further complicated by the closure of Interstate 80, the main artery through the Sierra Nevada, which was shut down from Colfax to the Nevada state line due to hazardous conditions. Chain controls and road closures rippled across other mountain routes, making access for both rescuers and would-be travelers nearly impossible.
The avalanche itself was rated D2.5 by the Sierra Avalanche Center, indicating a “large” to “very large” slide—one capable of burying or seriously injuring a person. The incident occurred at an elevation of approximately 8,200 feet, in an area notorious for its avalanche risk. In fact, Castle Peak has seen repeated avalanche activity this winter, including a fatal snowmobile accident on January 5, 2026. The Sierra Avalanche Center had issued a high avalanche warning for the central Sierra Nevada, including Castle Peak, effective through at least the morning of February 18. As the Center warned, “High danger means travel in or below avalanche terrain is not recommended,” and the storm’s intensity only magnified the danger.
“The leadership team at Blackbird Mountain Guides is working in full coordination with the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office and Nevada County Search and Rescue to support the ongoing rescue operation,” the company said in a statement, as reported by KCRA 3. “Blackbird Mountain Guides is in direct contact with the emergency contacts of the affected clients and guides and is providing them with regular updates as verified information becomes available.”
Steve Reynaud, an avalanche forecaster with the Sierra Avalanche Center, explained to The Press Democrat that the group had been staying at the Frog Lake huts since Sunday and was scheduled to check out on Tuesday. The route back to the trailhead, he noted, passes through “numerous avalanche hazards.” Reynaud added, “An avalanche burying seven to ten people would be a very large avalanche, or a group being in a bad location, or potentially both.” He emphasized that backcountry skiing requires specialized equipment—location beacons, snow probes, and shovels—but even with proper gear, “as soon as you have more than one person or multiple people buried it becomes a much more difficult rescue.”
The storm that fueled the avalanche was one of the season’s most severe, with the National Weather Service forecasting 12 to 20 inches of snow around Lake Tahoe on February 17 and up to 22 inches above 7,000 feet. Winds howled at 20 to 30 mph, with gusts on exposed ridges reaching up to 80 mph. According to meteorologist Dirk Verdoorn, Soda Springs—just west of Castle Peak—recorded up to 40 inches of new snow since Monday. The relentless snowfall led to widespread disruptions: Reno-Tahoe International Airport reported at least seven flight cancellations and numerous delays, while schools and community services across northern Nevada and the eastern Sierra were forced to close or switch to remote operations. The Food Bank of Northern Nevada, for instance, canceled mobile food distributions and rescheduled programs for later in the week.
California Governor Gavin Newsom pledged an “all-hands search and rescue effort,” underscoring the seriousness of the situation. The rescue operation was further hampered by the inability to use helicopters due to the storm, as Reynaud pointed out. “Even getting rescue personnel to the location to start with has been a major challenge. With the weather right now, conditions are not just dangerous, but hard to get around in the backcountry with all this new snow and wind.”
Backcountry skiing, while exhilarating, carries significant risks—risks that are only heightened during severe winter storms. Each year, avalanches claim the lives of 25 to 30 people in the United States, according to the National Avalanche Center. The 2025-2026 winter season had already seen six avalanche-related deaths nationwide as of January 11, with several high-profile incidents in the previous year, including fatalities in Washington, California, Oregon, Utah, and Alaska. Most victims are backcountry skiers, snowboarders, or snowmobilers, drawn to the allure of fresh powder but vulnerable to the unpredictable power of nature.
Officials have consistently urged caution. Capt. Russell Green of the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office told KCRA 3, “People go out and use the backcountry at all times. We advise against it honestly, but I wouldn’t say that it’s uncommon, not that it was a wise choice.” The Sierra Avalanche Center echoed this sentiment in its warnings, cautioning that “avalanches from above could travel down through treed terrain, often thought of as ‘safe’ during storms.”
As the search for the missing skiers continues, authorities stress a simple but urgent message: stay home if you can, delay travel if possible, and respect the hazards posed by the powerful winter weather gripping the Sierra Nevada. The situation remains fluid, and updates are expected as more information becomes available. For now, the community holds its breath, hoping for the safe return of those still missing and reflecting on the sobering reminder of nature’s might.
In the face of such adversity, the courage and dedication of the rescue teams—and the resilience of the survivors—stand as a testament to the strength of those who live and play in the mountains. But the events at Castle Peak serve as a stark warning: even the most experienced adventurers are at the mercy of the elements when winter storms and avalanche danger collide.