A catastrophic avalanche in California’s Sierra Nevada has killed eight backcountry skiers, with one more person missing and presumed dead, in what authorities describe as the deadliest avalanche in modern California history.
The incident occurred on Tuesday in the Castle Peak area, northwest of Lake Tahoe, a remote and popular spot for advanced backcountry skiing. The group of 15 skiers—including four professional guides—was wrapping up a three-day guided trip based at the Frog Lake huts when the massive slide struck late in the morning as they headed back toward the trailhead.
Officials reported that one skier spotted the avalanche just before it roared down the slope, covering an area roughly the length of a football field and burying much of the party almost instantly. Six survivors escaped the main force of the slide, used avalanche beacons and satellite messaging on their devices to call for help, and later located three of their buried companions while waiting for rescue.
Rescue teams, facing blizzard conditions and extreme avalanche danger, reached the site after several hours via snowcat and on skis. They recovered five additional bodies, bringing the confirmed death toll to eight. Due to ongoing severe weather, high winds, and unstable snow, recovery of the remains has been delayed, and search efforts for the final missing skier continue when conditions allow.
The avalanche was triggered amid heavy recent snowfall—nearly three feet in the prior 48 hours, combined with winds over 100 mph at ridge tops, which had built unstable snow layers. Avalanche warnings were in effect for the northern Sierra Nevada, highlighting the high risk from rapid accumulation on weak underlying snow.
Even with experienced guides and proper equipment, backcountry travel in such conditions remains extremely hazardous, as a single trigger can release a destructive slide. Castle Peak’s stunning volcanic landscape and deep powder draw skilled skiers seeking off-piste adventure, but its isolation makes emergencies far more challenging.
As Northern California grieves this devastating loss, officials and safety experts are reminding all backcountry users to closely monitor forecasts, carry essential gear like beacons, probes, and shovels, and exercise extreme caution—nature can change rapidly, even for the most prepared groups. Additional snow is expected through the weekend, further complicating recovery operations.
