Rescue efforts are underway in the Sierra Nevada mountains after an avalanche struck Tuesday, leaving six backcountry skiers alive but stranded and 10 others missing. The incident occurred near Lake Tahoe, in the Castle Peak area northwest of the lake, amidst a powerful winter storm that has brought treacherous conditions to the region.
The Nevada County Sheriff’s Office was alerted to the avalanche around 11:30 a.m. After receiving a 911 call reporting people buried in the snow. The group of 16 skiers – comprised of four guides and 12 clients – were caught in the slide as heavy snowfall blanketed the Sierra Nevada. Authorities immediately launched a search and rescue operation, deploying teams on skis and in snowcats to reach those affected. An avalanche warning had already been issued by the Sierra Avalanche Center at 5 a.m. Tuesday for the central Sierra Nevada, including the Castle Peak area and remained in effect through early Wednesday, anticipating large slides.
Avalanche Conditions and Rescue Challenges
As of Wednesday morning, February 18, 2026, six skiers have been located and are sheltering in place, awaiting rescue. According to Nevada County Sheriff Capt. Russell Greene, the skiers have managed to create a makeshift shelter using a tarp and are in communication with officials via emergency beacons, which allow them to send text messages. “They are doing the best they can,” Greene told KCRA-TV. “They have taken refuge in an area…and are doing everything they can to survive and wait for rescue.”
However, the rescue operation is being hampered by blizzard conditions and the rugged mountainous terrain. Nearly 50 first responders are involved in the search, but access to the avalanche site is difficult. The surviving skiers were instructed to remain where they are as rescue teams work to reach them. “There’s no quick way for [the skiers] to come out,” Capt. Greene said. “They’re having to wait there.”
Details of the Ski Trip and Avalanche Location
The group was on the final day of a three-day backcountry skiing trip, having spent two nights at huts in the Frog Lake area, according to Steve Reynaud, a Tahoe National Forest avalanche forecaster with the Sierra Avalanche Center. The trip required navigating up to 4 miles (6.4 kilometers) of rugged terrain on backcountry skis, carrying all necessary food and supplies. The skiers were equipped with emergency beacons, which alerted authorities to the avalanche. Castle Peak, where the avalanche occurred, is approximately 10 miles west of Truckee and is a popular destination for hiking, mountain biking, and backcountry skiing.
The area is accessed from the Boreal Mountain ski area and nearby trailheads, with routes often crossing avalanche-prone slopes. The skiers involved in the incident had been staying at the Frog Lake Huts, operated by the Truckee Donner Land Trust, which notes that routes to and from the huts carry “some degree of avalanche hazard.”
Ongoing Search and Weather Concerns
The search for the 10 missing skiers continues as authorities race against time and worsening weather conditions. The Sierra Avalanche Center’s warning highlights the continued high danger of avalanches in the region. The powerful winter storm impacting California is bringing treacherous thunderstorms, high winds, and heavy snow to the mountains, further complicating rescue efforts.
Authorities are urging anyone planning backcountry activities in the Sierra Nevada to heed avalanche warnings and accept appropriate safety precautions. The focus remains on locating the missing skiers and ensuring the safe evacuation of those who have been found.
As the search continues, officials will be closely monitoring weather conditions and assessing the stability of the snowpack. The next update is expected Wednesday afternoon, as rescue teams continue their efforts in the challenging terrain.
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