Lead
This week’s storms and hazardous winter conditions have produced a lethal streak on the Lake Tahoe slopes: at least 15 people have died on Tahoe-area runs and backcountry routes since Jan. 1, 2026. The count rose after an avalanche on Tuesday at Castle Peak killed nine members of a guided backcountry group, the deadliest avalanche in California’s recorded history. In the days afterward, search teams found a stranded skier dead and two other unrelated deaths were reported at the same resort, compounding local emergency response efforts. Officials and guide operators say forecasters had issued avalanche warnings for the region in the days before the Castle Peak collapse.
Key Takeaways
- At least 15 fatalities on Tahoe-area slopes have been confirmed so far in 2026 (period: Jan. 1–Feb. 22), including multiple separate incidents.
- A single avalanche at Castle Peak on Tuesday killed nine people from a guided backcountry party, the largest recorded avalanche death toll in California history.
- The guided group totaled 15 people; Blackbird Mountain Guides hosted the trip and reported that three of four tour guides were among the dead.
- Friends identified six of the avalanche victims as Bay Area mothers who were experienced skiers and frequent Tahoe visitors.
- Rescuers located six survivors from the Castle Peak party who had built an improvised tarp shelter; specialized search-and-rescue equipment was used in recovery operations.
- Two additional, unrelated fatalities occurred later in the week at the same ski resort, and another skier was found dead after becoming stranded on a difficult route.
- Forecasters had issued avalanche warnings for the area in the days before the Castle Peak event, raising questions about trip timing and risk decisions.
Background
Lake Tahoe straddles the California–Nevada border and hosts some of the most popular alpine terrain in the western United States. The region’s combination of heavy winter snowfall, steep backcountry lines and a robust recreational community makes avalanche risk a recurring seasonal concern. Backcountry hut-to-hut tours such as trips to the Frog Lake huts attract guided groups, especially in high-snow years, and operators provide route guidance and emergency planning for clients who travel off marked runs.
Guided backcountry travel has grown in popularity over the past decade, and with it the use of professional guides, rented safety gear and formal training. Nonetheless, forecasters and rescue authorities say variable snowpack layers and rapid loading from storms can create conditions where even seasoned skiers face elevated hazard. The Castle Peak avalanche is being described by state officials and local media as the deadliest avalanche in California’s recorded history, a designation that underscores the scale of the loss and the stakes for safety protocols.
Main Event
The avalanche struck Castle Peak late on Tuesday morning, sweeping over a guided party that had been returning from an overnight stay at the Frog Lake huts. The tour group included 15 people; nine were killed in the avalanche and six constructed an improvised shelter and survived until rescuers reached them. Blackbird Mountain Guides, which hosted the tour, reported that three of its four guides died in the slide.
Search-and-rescue teams deployed beacon and probe lines, avalanche dogs and snowmobiles where terrain permitted; in steeper or more hazardous approaches, rescuers used rope systems and specialized hauling equipment. By nightfall teams had located the survivors and recovered the deceased, but operations continued for several days to search broader areas and to investigate the sequence of events that led to the slide.
Separate incidents added to the week’s toll. Two people died in unrelated accidents at the same ski resort on Friday; authorities are treating those as distinct from the Castle Peak event. Earlier in the week, a solo skier became stranded on a difficult route and was later found dead by a search party. Local sheriff’s offices and mountain rescue units have reiterated calls for caution and for adherence to avalanche forecasts.
Analysis & Implications
The concentration of fatalities over a short period is likely to prompt scrutiny of backcountry guiding practices and decision-making under storm conditions. Regulators and industry groups commonly assess whether guides followed accepted risk protocols, whether client experience and equipment were appropriate for the chosen route, and how weather and avalanche forecasts were integrated into trip planning. Any formal reviews will weigh operational detail—route choice, group spread, trigger factors—alongside public safety guidance from forecasting centers.
For the broader recreational community, the event underscores a persistent risk: avalanche forecasts are probabilistic, and even experienced participants can be caught in high-consequence situations. Demand for guided backcountry trips has been rising, which concentrates more people into exposed terrain and increases the number of rescue responses required when incidents occur. Local emergency services may face sustained operational pressure during multiday storm cycles if additional parties get into difficulty.
Economically, high-profile fatalities can affect resort reputations and visitor behavior in the near term. Operators may alter offerings—limiting certain guided routes or requiring more stringent client vetting—while insurers and liability carriers reassess exposure. At a policy level, state and county agencies might review permitting, guide certification standards and public messaging about when terrain should be considered closed or too dangerous.
Comparison & Data
| Metric | Count |
|---|---|
| Confirmed Tahoe-area slope deaths (Jan. 1–Feb. 22, 2026) | 15 |
| Deaths in single Castle Peak avalanche | 9 |
The table highlights the scale of this season’s fatalities and the proportion caused by the single Castle Peak slide. Officials note that year-to-year totals vary widely with storm patterns, and a single catastrophic event can sharply alter short-term statistics.
Reactions & Quotes
“We are heartbroken by this loss and are cooperating fully with investigators and authorities,”
Blackbird Mountain Guides (tour operator)
Blackbird Mountain Guides issued a statement expressing condolences and noting the company was working with local officials on the recovery and on communicating with families. The operator confirmed the presence of guides among the deceased and referred questions about operational choices to investigators.
“Conditions were extreme and hazardous; personnel worked in difficult terrain to locate survivors and recover those lost,”
Local search-and-rescue official
Rescue leaders described complex field conditions—deep snow, poor visibility in places and unstable slopes—that complicated both initial response and subsequent recovery work. Agencies emphasized that search priorities shifted from survival to recovery as time passed and conditions evolved.
“Avalanche warnings had been issued for the area in the days leading up to the incident,”
Regional avalanche forecaster
Forecasters noted elevated avalanche danger following heavy snowfall and wind loading; they reiterated standard guidance for backcountry travelers to check current forecasts and carry appropriate rescue equipment.
Unconfirmed
- Whether a single specific trigger (e.g., recent skier activity or cornice failure) initiated the Castle Peak avalanche remains under investigation.
- Complete identities and official tallies for all victims are pending final releases from coroner and law-enforcement authorities.
- Details about any internal decision-making by the guide company—route choices, client briefings, or whether warnings were explicitly reviewed—have not been fully released publicly.
Bottom Line
The week’s cluster of deaths around Lake Tahoe highlights both the acute dangers of backcountry travel in severe winter storms and the broader challenge of managing increasing recreational demand in hazardous terrain. The Castle Peak avalanche—killing nine people in a single event—will likely catalyze reviews of guiding practices, rescue capacity and public messaging about when slopes should be considered off-limits.
For visitors and operators alike, the immediate takeaway is practical: heed current avalanche forecasts, ensure groups are equipped and trained for likely conditions, and prioritize conservative route choices when warnings are elevated. Longer-term responses may include regulatory or industry changes aimed at reducing exposure to the most dangerous conditions.
Sources
- The New York Times (news)
- Associated Press (news/photo)
- Avalanche.org / Regional Forecast Centers (forecast/official)
- San Francisco Chronicle (regional news)