Search teams at Northstar California Resort in Truckee located 21‑year‑old Colin Kang of Fremont deceased on Thursday morning, after he was reported missing late Wednesday night, Placer County authorities said. Kang, an off‑duty Northstar employee, was found around 9 a.m. on the resort’s advanced Sugar Pine Glade trail following an overnight missing‑person report. Deputies had discovered his vehicle in the resort parking lot and launched search and rescue early the next day. Northstar and the sheriff’s office have confirmed the death and offered condolences as investigations continue.
Key Takeaways
- Victim: Colin Kang, 21, of Fremont, was identified by the Placer County Sheriff’s Office as the skier found deceased at Northstar.
- Timeline: A missing‑person report came in around 11 p.m. Wednesday; search teams located Kang around 9 a.m. Thursday morning.
- Location: The body was recovered on the advanced Sugar Pine Glade trail at Northstar California Resort in Truckee.
- Employment: Northstar confirmed Kang was an off‑duty employee of the resort at the time of the incident.
- Resort pattern: This is the third fatality reported at the Tahoe resort this month, following two earlier deaths reported by authorities.
- Previous incidents: Authorities previously reported a 53‑year‑old Bay Area man who died after colliding with another skier and a 26‑year‑old Los Angeles man who died in a separate skier incident on Feb. 6.
Background
Northstar California Resort is a major ski destination in the Tahoe-Truckee area that draws thousands of visitors each winter, and it employs a substantial seasonal workforce. Mountain recreation carries inherent risks, and resorts have protocols for ski patrol, emergency response and employee safety; nevertheless, serious incidents occasionally occur. In February 2026 the resort has seen multiple fatalities reported within a short span, a pattern that has raised heightened attention from visitors, employees and local officials. Placer County and resort authorities routinely investigate on-mountain deaths to determine factors such as terrain, equipment, weather and medical causes.
Search and rescue operations in the Tahoe region involve a combination of local deputies, volunteer teams, resort patrol and sometimes mutual aid from neighboring agencies, especially for overnight or complex searches. Advanced terrain like Sugar Pine Glade is typically rated for experienced skiers, and resorts post trail ratings and advisories. When an employee is involved, resorts often coordinate internal reviews alongside law enforcement inquiries. Public communication after fatalities usually includes basic timelines and expressions of sympathy while coroner and investigative work proceed.
Main Event
According to the Placer County Sheriff’s Office, deputies received a report of a possible missing person at Northstar around 11 p.m. Wednesday and located a vehicle registered to Kang in the resort parking lot. Investigators determined Kang had gone skiing and had not returned as expected, prompting an early‑morning search activation. A coordinated search and rescue effort located Kang on the Sugar Pine Glade trail at about 9 a.m. Thursday; he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Northstar told reporters that Kang was an off‑duty employee at the time of the incident and that the resort is cooperating with law enforcement. Resort general manager Tara Schoedinger issued a brief statement expressing sorrow for the loss and extending condolences to Kang’s family and coworkers. The Placer County Sheriff’s Office is handling on‑scene procedures and will work with the county coroner to determine cause of death; investigators have not released details about any contributing factors pending that process.
Resort officials have not indicated any immediate hazards on the trail that would explain the death, and ski patrol records cited by authorities have not yet been made public. Witnesses or other skiers were not named in official releases, and there has been no public indication of collision or third‑party involvement. The discovery marked the third fatal report at Northstar within weeks, which has prompted follow‑up questions about safety conditions, staffing and terrain risk management.
Analysis & Implications
Multiple fatalities at a single ski area within a short period can amplify public concern, affect visitor confidence and trigger reviews of safety protocols. For Northstar, the reputational and operational impact may include increased scrutiny from county authorities, insurers and the resort’s own risk managers. Investigators will examine whether environmental conditions (visibility, snowpack, grooming), human factors (experience level, equipment, decision‑making), or medical issues contributed to the outcome. The coroner’s findings and the sheriff’s investigative report will be central to determining what, if any, operational changes are needed.
Economically, a cluster of fatalities can influence seasonal visitation patterns and employee morale, particularly in a resort that relies on local and regional repeat visitors. Management typically balances transparent communication with legal and privacy constraints; resorts sometimes enhance signage, staffing on difficult runs, or public advisories when incidents highlight particular hazards. If investigations point to systemic issues—trail design, patrol coverage, or information gaps—regulatory responses or industry‑wide best‑practice updates could follow.
From a policy perspective, stakeholders including county officials, resort operators and ski patrols may revisit response times, training standards for seasonal staff, and incident reporting protocols. Community groups and mountain safety advocates often use such incidents to press for clearer public education about risk, improved trail marking, and better access to emergency medical response. For visitors, the immediate implication is to review route choices, skiing within ability, and checking resort advisories before heading into advanced terrain.
Comparison & Data
| Date (reported) | Age | Incident |
|---|---|---|
| Feb. 6, 2026 | 26 | Skier incident; Los Angeles man died (reported) |
| Sunday (this month) | 53 | Collision with another skier; Bay Area man died (reported) |
| Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026 | 21 | Colin Kang found deceased on Sugar Pine Glade |
The three incidents reported this month span different ages and described mechanisms (collision, unspecified skier incident, and the recent death while skiing). That range underscores that on‑mountain fatalities do not affect a single demographic and can arise from distinct circumstances. Authorities are treating each case separately; aggregate data can inform whether these represent an unusual cluster or a statistical variation for a busy winter season.
Reactions & Quotes
“We are heartbroken by this loss,”
Tara Schoedinger, Northstar general manager
Northstar’s general manager issued condolences to Kang’s family and to staff, noting the resort is supporting colleagues and cooperating with investigators. The resort emphasized respect for the family’s privacy while internal and law enforcement reviews proceed.
“Deputies located his vehicle at the resort and mounted a search that located him Thursday morning,”
Placer County Sheriff’s Office (summarized)
The sheriff’s office provided a brief operational account of how the missing‑person report led to an early morning search and the subsequent recovery. Investigators are conducting standard procedures and coordinating with the county coroner.
Unconfirmed
- No official cause of death has been released; the coroner’s report is pending and will determine medical cause and any contributing factors.
- There is no confirmed link between this death and the other two fatalities reported at Northstar this month; investigations remain separate.
- No public indication has been released that a collision or third‑party involvement occurred in this case; authorities have not named witnesses or reported additional parties.
Bottom Line
The recovery of 21‑year‑old Colin Kang at Northstar is a tragic event for his family, colleagues and the Tahoe skiing community and is being handled by Placer County investigators and the coroner’s office. Because the official cause of death has not been released, conclusions about mechanism or broader safety implications should await those determinations. The fact that this is the third reported death at the resort this month will likely prompt internal reviews and public questions about risk management in advanced terrain.
Visitors and employees should follow posted trail guidance, heed ski patrol advisories and err on the side of caution in advanced areas. For the community and stakeholders, the next steps to watch are the coroner’s findings, the sheriff’s investigative report and any operational responses from Northstar aimed at preventing further tragedies.
Sources
- ABC7/KGO-TV — Local television news report summarizing law enforcement and resort statements (media).
- Northstar California Resort — Resort official site and public statements (resort official).
- Placer County Sheriff’s Office — County law enforcement information and public affairs (official law enforcement).