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Lake Tahoe Avalanche: 8 Mothers Buried Alive
25 Feb
Summary
- Nine skiers died in a deadly avalanche at Castle Peak.
- Eight mothers were among the nine victims of the disaster.
- Rescue efforts were hampered by severe storm conditions.
Nine skiers perished in one of California's deadliest backcountry avalanches at Castle Peak near Lake Tahoe on February 17, 2026. The powerful 'storm slab' fractured unexpectedly, descending 400 vertical feet and completely burying 12 of the 15 skiers in the group. Among the deceased were eight mothers, a devastating loss for the tight-knit community.
Rescue efforts were significantly hampered by high-intensity storm conditions and fading daylight. Despite the challenges, three skiers who were not initially buried managed to rescue three individuals before professional rescuers arrived. Crews worked through the night, eventually recovering eight deceased victims and evacuating six survivors.
Further recovery operations continued into the following days. Avalanche mitigation efforts, including water bucket drops from helicopters, were conducted to stabilize the snowpack. By February 21, 2026, all nine victims had been recovered. Investigations are underway to determine why the tour, led by Blackbird Mountain Guides, proceeded despite avalanche warnings.
