Lead: On Feb. 17, 2026, an avalanche struck near Castle Peak in Nevada County, north of Truckee, at about 11:30 a.m., engulfing a group of backcountry skiers. Officials said 16 people — four guides and 12 clients — were caught in the slide; six remained at the scene and were sheltered, while 10 were unaccounted for as of 4:00 p.m. Local search-and-rescue teams mobilized from Boreal Mountain and Tahoe Donner amid an intense winter storm. The operation continued into the afternoon with worsening weather that officials warned could hamper recovery efforts.
Key takeaways
- Avalanche occurred near Castle Peak (Tahoe National Forest) at approximately 11:30 a.m. on Feb. 17, 2026, north of Interstate 80 near Truckee.
- Sixteen people were involved: four guides and 12 clients; six survivors remained at the site and 10 were unaccounted for as of 4:00 p.m.
- Search-and-rescue assets included teams from Boreal Mountain and Tahoe Donner, a SnoCat unit, and a total of 46 emergency responders on scene.
- The Sierra Avalanche Center rated danger as “High” for the Central Sierra on Tuesday, the second-highest level on its five-point scale.
- National Weather Service issued a Winter Storm Warning through 10 p.m. Thursday, forecasting 4–8 feet of snow at higher elevations and wind gusts of 45–55 mph.
- Interstate 80 over Donner Summit and Highway 50 were closed due to whiteout conditions, near-zero visibility and hazardous travel.
- Several ski areas, including Boreal Mountain, suspended operations because of extreme winds and low visibility.
Background
Castle Peak sits within Tahoe National Forest and is a well-known backcountry destination accessed from trailheads near Interstate 80 and Boreal Mountain Resort. The area draws skiers, snowboarders, snowmobilers and snowshoers because of its proximity to the Tahoe urban corridor and the variety of terrain. Over the past decade, Castle Peak and nearby ridgelines have produced multiple avalanche incidents in heavy-snow years, prompting advisory efforts from local avalanche centers and backcountry organizations.
Forecasters had warned in the days leading up to Feb. 17 of a powerful Pacific storm crossing the Sierra. Rapid snowfall rates combined with strong southwest winds can quickly load weak layers of snow, creating conditions for large natural and human-triggered avalanches. The Sierra Avalanche Center issued a “High” danger rating for the Central Sierra the morning of the slide, advising against travel in or near avalanche terrain.
Main event
According to the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office, the avalanche struck a group of 16 skiers at about 11:30 a.m. near Castle Peak. The party was composed of four guides and 12 clients. Initial field reports indicated that six people were able to shelter in place and were reached by local rescue teams; as of 4:00 p.m., 10 individuals remained unaccounted for. Authorities described the incident as active and ongoing while search operations were under way.
Rescue teams deployed from Boreal Mountain Ski Resort and Tahoe Donner’s Alder Creek Adventure Center to reach survivors and search the avalanche path. A SnoCat rescue vehicle was also sent from Alder Creek to assist movement in deep snow and low visibility. Local fire agencies, county search-and-rescue units and volunteer backcountry responders combined resources, with officials reporting 46 responders engaged in the operation.
Storm conditions rapidly complicated response work. Officials and highway crews reported whiteout conditions and near-zero visibility; CHP closed Interstate 80 over Donner Summit in both directions, and Caltrans closed Highway 50 due to heavy snowfall and spinouts. The National Weather Service warned that the storm could produce 4 to 8 feet of new snow at higher elevations with damaging wind gusts through Thursday evening, raising the odds of additional avalanches.
Analysis & Implications
The incident highlights the acute risk of backcountry travel during high avalanche-danger days. When avalanche danger is rated “High,” the Sierra Avalanche Center warns of a widespread natural avalanche cycle and increased likelihood that large slides will run through treed terrain. In such settings, even experienced parties can be caught if unstable layers are rapidly overloaded by wind-blown snow or heavy precipitation.
Operationally, severe weather compresses the window for search and rescue. Deep, wind-packed snow slows ground movement, whiteout conditions limit aerial support, and gusting winds make mechanical transport like SnoCats more hazardous. Those factors all reduce the probability of quick extrication for buried victims and increase exposure risks for responders, who must balance rapid intervention with crew safety.
There are broader implications for backcountry management and public messaging. Popular access points such as trailheads off I-80 concentrate traffic into avalanche-prone terrain; when advisories emphasize elevated danger, clearer communication and temporary access restrictions from land managers can reduce exposure. The incident may prompt local agencies and operators to reassess closure protocols during high-consequence storms.
Comparison & data
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| People involved | 16 (4 guides, 12 clients) |
| Accounted for | 6 sheltered at site |
| Unaccounted for (as of 4 p.m.) | 10 |
| Responders | 46 emergency personnel |
| Avalanche danger | “High” (Central Sierra) |
| Forecast snow | 4–8 ft at higher elevations |
| Wind gusts | 45–55 mph |
These figures underline the scale of the search and the severity of concurrent weather. Historical comparisons show that days with “High” danger and rapid loading often correlate with larger avalanche cycles and multiple slide reports across the Sierra. For operational planning, agencies use these numeric thresholds to determine whether to deploy ground teams, request helicopter support, or issue travel restrictions.
Reactions & quotes
Officials reiterated the ongoing nature of the response and cautioned the public to avoid travel in the area while crews worked. The sheriff’s office described the incident as an active rescue operation and stressed updates would follow as conditions allowed.
This incident remains active and ongoing.
Nevada County Sheriff’s Office (official statement)
Local backcountry advocates emphasized accessibility and terrain complexity at Castle Peak, noting that easy access can attract groups into hazardous zones, especially on poor-visibility days.
It’s very popular because of its accessibility, but it’s tricky terrain, especially on a poor-visibility day like today.
Anthony Cupaiuolo, Tahoe Backcountry Alliance (advocacy group)
The Sierra Avalanche Center had issued guidance earlier in the day warning against travel in or below avalanche terrain due to a predicted widespread natural avalanche cycle. Forecasters pointed to rapid snowfall and strong winds as key destabilizing factors.
Travel in, near, or below avalanche terrain is not recommended today. A widespread natural avalanche cycle is expected over the next 24 hours.
Sierra Avalanche Center (forecast advisory)
Unconfirmed
- Whether all members of the group were wearing avalanche transceivers, airbags or other personal safety equipment has not been confirmed by authorities.
- Attribution of the exact trigger (natural slab vs. human-triggered) for the slide remains undetermined pending detailed field investigation.
- The status (injury or fatality) of the 10 unaccounted individuals had not been publicly confirmed by 4:00 p.m.; officials indicated updates would follow.
Bottom line
The avalanche near Castle Peak on Feb. 17, 2026, occurred during a major Sierra storm and illustrates how quickly backcountry travel risk can escalate. Sixteen people were caught in the slide; as of late afternoon 10 remained unaccounted for and search efforts involved dozens of responders facing hazardous weather and limited visibility. The Sierra Avalanche Center’s “High” rating and Winter Storm Warning highlight that the conditions were known to be dangerous before the incident.
For the public and for land and recreation managers, the episode underscores the importance of clear, proactive communication about travel advisories and the limits of rescue under severe weather. In the coming days, investigators and officials will aim to establish the trigger and sequence of events; until then, authorities ask the public to avoid the area to allow responders to work safely and effectively.