Avalanche in Sierra Nevada Kills Eight, Leaves One Missing; Victims Linked to Ski Academy Community

Eight people were confirmed dead and a ninth remained missing after a large avalanche struck a backcountry slope near Castle Peak in California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains on Tuesday, February 17, 2026. Authorities said the 15-member party, made up largely of parents—predominantly mothers—connected to Sugar Bowl Academy, was completing the final day of a three-day guided ski tour when the slide occurred.

According to the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office, the incident unfolded in the late morning as the group traversed an area outside established resort boundaries north of Truckee. Witness accounts gathered by search teams indicate that a sudden release of deep, unstable snow engulfed the skiers, sweeping several downhill and burying others beneath multiple feet of debris.

Rescuers reached the remote site under what officials described as “highly dangerous” conditions, including continuing snowfall, low visibility, and persistent avalanche risk. Six people—four men and two women—were located alive after sheltering for hours under an emergency tarp. Medics transported the survivors to medical facilities in Truckee, where they were treated for hypothermia and minor injuries and later released.

Recovery teams discovered the bodies of eight victims during intensive probing operations that extended into Wednesday. One individual remains unaccounted for and is presumed dead, bringing the likely death toll to nine. Of the dead and missing, seven are women and two are men. None of the victims have been publicly identified, pending notification of next of kin.

A statement released by Sugar Bowl Academy, an independent boarding and day school that combines academics with elite ski training, confirmed that “multiple members of the Sugar Bowl Academy community and others with strong connections to Sugar Bowl, Donner Summit, and the backcountry community” died in the avalanche. School officials emphasized that students are currently on winter break and were not present during the excursion.

“Emergency responders are still working to recover all of the victims and are not at this time sharing the personal details of the victims and the survivors out of respect for the families affected,” the school noted. Administrators added that counseling services have been activated for athletes, students, staff, and families.

The avalanche is the deadliest in the United States since 1981, when 11 climbers were killed on Washington’s Mount Rainier. Historical data compiled by the American Avalanche Association show that fatal incidents of this magnitude are rare but often involve organized groups traveling in complex terrain under persistent-slab conditions.

Tuesday’s party had enlisted professional guides for the multi-day trip, according to a source involved in the search effort. Guides typically carry radios, shovels, probes, and avalanche airbags, but officials have not disclosed what safety equipment was in use at the time. Weather records indicate a series of Pacific storms deposited significant new snow across the Sierra Nevada during the 72 hours preceding the accident, creating unstable layers within the snowpack.

In the hours after the slide, two staging areas were established: Alder Creek Adventure Center, where snowmobiles transported rescuers, and a command post near Interstate 80. Helicopter support was limited because of wind and heavy snowfall, forcing ground teams to navigate steep, tree-lined gullies on skis and snowshoes.

Imagem: Internet

Nevada County Sheriff’s Office personnel worked alongside Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue, the California Office of Emergency Services, and avalanche forecasters from the U.S. Forest Service. Officers marked the perimeter of the slide path with flagging tape while dog teams combed the debris field for scent traces of the missing skier.

Castle Peak, rising to 9,103 feet, is a popular destination for experienced backcountry enthusiasts due to its open bowls and convenient access from Donner Summit. However, the terrain is avalanche-prone, especially during or immediately after significant storms. The Sierra Avalanche Center had issued a considerable (Level 3 of 5) danger rating for the region on the day of the incident, urging travelers to avoid slopes steeper than 30 degrees.

Investigators will analyze snowpit data, fracture lines, and weather models to determine the precise trigger mechanism. A preliminary assessment suggests the avalanche was a hard-slab release estimated at 450 feet wide and 3 feet deep, with a runout distance exceeding 1,200 feet. Debris piled up to 15 feet in certain locations, complicating rescue operations.

The sheriff’s office said a full report will be made public once all victims are recovered and family notifications are complete. Meanwhile, Sugar Bowl Academy officials plan to hold a private vigil for students and parents in the coming days. Classroom activities are expected to resume next week with additional grief counselors on site.

Authorities urged anyone planning winter backcountry travel to consult daily avalanche forecasts, carry proper rescue equipment, and practice conservative decision-making. “Conditions can change rapidly,” an incident-command spokesperson said. “Even experienced groups with professional guidance must remain vigilant.”

Crédito da imagem: Nevada County Sheriff’s Office / Jenna Greene-Reuters / Brooke Hess-Homeier-AP