Eight Skiers Dead in Worst US Avalanche Disaster

A severe avalanche on Castle Peak, California, has claimed the lives of eight experienced skiers, becoming the fourth deadliest avalanche disaster in U.S. history. The incident occurred on February 17, 2026, during a fierce winter storm while a group of friends, many of them mothers from the Bay Area, were returning from a three-day backcountry expedition. Six survivors were rescued by a team of 46 first responders, who navigated extreme weather conditions and high avalanche risks to reach them. Tragically, survivors had already managed to uncover some of the deceased before rescue teams arrived. The recovery effort, complicated by ongoing storms, continued into the following days. Investigations by the Nevada County Sheriff's Office and Cal/Osha have been launched to determine the cause and any potential criminal charges. Experts note that a preceding warm winter created a thin ice layer, which, when combined with rapid heavy snowfall, formed a precarious base highly susceptible to avalanche. This deadly combination, exacerbated by whiteout conditions and gale-force winds, created a perfect storm for tragedy in the Sierra Nevada region, where avalanches are a recurring hazard. The communities affected are beginning to mourn the loss of passionate skiers who cherished time in the mountains.