Six Rescued, Up to Ten Still Missing After Castle Peak Avalanche Amid State Search
Updated (4 articles)
Avalanche Strikes Castle Peak Amid Severe Storm Avalanche hit at 11:30 a.m. PST on Feb 17 near Frog Lake in the Castle Peak area northwest of Lake Tahoe, triggering a large slide [1][2][3][4]. A winter storm dumped at least 30 inches (76 cm) of snow in Soda Springs within 24 hours and produced gale‑force winds that destabilized the snowpack [1][2][3][4]. The Sierra Avalanche Center issued a high‑danger warning at 5 a.m., forecasting large avalanches through Wednesday [1][2][3][4].
Tour Group Composition and Survivor Count Vary Across Reports The ski tour was led by Blackbird Mountain Guides and included four guides and twelve clients according to BBC and Newsweek, but Nevada County Sheriff’s Office later clarified the party numbered 15 participants, correcting earlier reports of 16 [1][2][3][4]. Six skiers were rescued and evaluated; two required hospital treatment [1][3]. The number of people still missing is reported as nine by AP and CNN, while BBC and Newsweek list ten missing [1][2][3][4].
Multi‑Agency Rescue Deploys 46 Responders and Specialized Equipment Nevada County Sheriff’s Office coordinated 46 responders, including rescue ski teams from Boreal Mountain and Alder Creek Adventure Center and a SnoCat tracked vehicle [2][4]. Emergency crews accessed the remote site cautiously to avoid triggering additional slides, aided by emergency beacons and ham‑radio alerts from the guides [1]. Two of the rescued skiers were taken to hospital for treatment, while the others received on‑scene medical evaluation [1][3].
State Officials Mobilize Search While Roads and Resorts Shut Governor Gavin Newsom’s office announced an all‑hands search‑and‑rescue operation, integrating state resources with local teams [2]. Interstate 80 and Highway 50 experienced temporary closures, and several Tahoe ski resorts reduced or halted operations due to the storm and avalanche risk [1][2][3]. The National Weather Service maintains a winter‑storm warning predicting up to eight feet of snow in parts of the Sierra Nevada [3].
Sources
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1.
AP: Avalanche near Lake Tahoe leaves six rescued, nine missing: Highlights six survivors, nine missing, corrected tour size of 15, storm‑driven avalanche conditions, and ham‑radio coordination in a remote terrain rescue .
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2.
BBC: California Avalanche Leaves 10 Skiers Missing in Lake Tahoe: Reports ten missing, a 16‑person party (four guides, twelve clients), 46 responders with ski teams and SnoCat, and Governor Newsom’s all‑hands SAR effort .
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3.
CNN: Six rescued, nine missing after California Castle Peak avalanche: Confirms six rescued, nine missing, clarifies group size to 15, notes two hospitalizations, and describes storm‑induced up to eight‑foot snow forecasts .
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4.
Newsweek: Search Ongoing for Missing Backcountry Skiers After California Avalanche: Emphasizes ten missing, a 16‑person group, 46 specialized responders, high‑danger warning, and recent fatal incidents underscoring regional snowpack instability .
Timeline
Jan 2026 – A fatal avalanche occurs in the Castle Peak area, underscoring the region’s “ongoing snowpack instability” and foreshadowing heightened risk for backcountry travelers[3].
Jan 2026 – A snowmobiler dies in a slide at Johnson Peak/Castle Peak, adding to the string of recent winter‑mountain fatalities that alert authorities to dangerous conditions[3].
Feb 17, 2026 5:00 a.m. – The Sierra Avalanche Center issues a high‑danger (4/5) warning for the Central Sierra Nevada, forecasting “large avalanches through Wednesday” as a powerful storm begins dumping snow and gale‑force winds[2][3].
Feb 17, 2026 early morning – Meteorologists maintain a winter‑storm warning that predicts several feet of snowfall across the Sierra Nevada, with some forecasts calling for up to eight feet in parts of the range, prompting pre‑emptive resort closures and road shutdowns[2][4].
Feb 17, 2026 11:30 a.m. – An avalanche bursts down Castle Peak near Frog Lake, burying a party of backcountry skiers; a 911 call alerts the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office to the slide[4].
Feb 17, 2026 mid‑afternoon – Nevada County Sheriff’s Office deploys 46 responders, including expert ski teams from Boreal Mountain and Alder Creek Adventure Center and a SnoCat tracked vehicle, after being notified by Blackbird Mountain Guides and the skiers’ emergency beacons[1][3].
Feb 17, 2026 evening – Six skiers are rescued; “two of the six rescued were transported for medical treatment,” spokesperson Ashley Quadros confirms, while nine participants remain missing[4].
Feb 17, 2026 night – Governor Gavin Newsom’s office announces an “all‑hands search‑and‑rescue operation,” coordinating state resources with local emergency teams to intensify the hunt for the missing skiers[1].
Feb 18, 2026 early morning – The Sierra Avalanche Center extends its high‑danger warning through 5 a.m., warning of a “widespread natural avalanche cycle over the next 24 hours” and urging the public to avoid avalanche terrain[1].
Feb 18, 2026 through Wednesday – Forecasts continue to call for up to eight feet of additional snow in the Sierra Nevada and Pacific Coast Range, meaning ski‑resort closures, intermittent I‑80 shutdowns, and sustained rescue challenges are expected throughout the remainder of the week[2].
External resources (3 links)
- https://www.kcra.com/ (cited 1 times)
- https://x.com/Cal_OES/status/2023933617894981650?s=20 (cited 1 times)