Avalanche at Lake Tahoe Triggers State of Emergency—Latest Updates for Skiers and Travelers

A powerful snowstorm turned deadly Tuesday when a huge slab of fresh snow ripped loose near Castle Peak, about 10 miles northwest of Lake Tahoe, burying a 15-person guided backcountry group. Nevada County officials confirmed Wednesday that eight skiers are dead, one remains missing and six survived after activating emergency beacons that guided rescuers to a makeshift shelter. Deadliest avalanche in modern California history • The fatal count already ranks this Lake Tahoe avalanche as the state’s worst on record. • Victims were part of a three-day hut-to-hut tour run by Blackbird Mountain Guides. • Survivors, ages 30-55, included one guide and five clients; two are hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. Storm primed the slopes for disaster • Nearly 3 ft (62 in) of snow fell at nearby Donner Peak in 48 hours, with wind gusts topping 100 mph. • Rapid loading on a weak, faceted snowpack created by January’s drought produced “high avalanche danger,” according to the Sierra Avalanche Center’s warning issued hours before the slide. • The avalanche path stretched roughly a football field long and funneled heavy debris through treed terrain, leaving rescuers to navigate concrete-hard snow and poor visibility. Ongoing search and weather outlook • More snow—up to 18 in on ridge-tops—could hit the northern Sierra through Thursday morning, prolonging the high-risk window and slowing body-recovery efforts. • About 90 search-and-rescue personnel and multiple avalanche dogs remain staged at the Boreal/Castle Peak trailhead while officials monitor for secondary slides. • Interstate 80 closures and five-foot drifts have left Truckee’s normally packed “ski week” resorts eerily quiet. ‘Why were they out there?’—experts weigh in Avalanche forecasters say the decision to travel in the backcountry during a blizzard is ultimately up to guides and clients, but Tuesday’s conditions were “about as bad as it gets.” They stress that even skilled teams can underestimate how quickly new snow and wind can overload a fragile base layer. Backcountry safety checklist for the Sierra Nevada 1. Check the daily avalanche forecast (Sierra Avalanche Center) before leaving home. 2. Carry—and know how to use—a beacon, probe and metal shovel; practice regularly. 3. Travel one at a time on exposed slopes; regroup in safe zones away from runout paths. 4. Consider an air-bag pack and satellite communicator for added survival odds. 5. If warnings are rated “high” or “extreme,” choose in-bounds resort terrain or stay home. Travel advisory for Presidents Day visitors Tourism officials urge Bay Area and Sacramento families planning long-weekend ski trips to monitor Caltrans road alerts, pack chains and be prepared for extended closures. Resorts on Tahoe’s north shore are operating, but tree-well and roof-load hazards persist. Key takeaways • Search crews expect recovery, not rescue, for the final missing skier. • Avalanche danger will remain elevated until the storm cycle ends and mitigation work can begin. • This tragedy underscores the importance of heeding avalanche warnings, even in a region famed for deep powder and postcard views. With the phrase “avalanche Lake Tahoe” now spiking in online searches, authorities hope that heightened awareness will translate into safer choices as winter storms continue to march across the Sierra.