U.S. police announced that eight of nine skiers missing after an avalanche on a California mountain have been found dead. One person remains missing, with severe weather conditions obstructing the search.
On Wednesday, 18 Feb 2026, California police held a press conference revealing that officials have found the bodies of eight out of nine skiers missing after an avalanche in California. One last individual remains missing amid harsh snowstorm conditions.
Rescue teams mobilized intensively to search for the group of skiers swept away early Tuesday morning (17 Feb) near Castle Peak in the Lake Tahoe area of the Sierra Nevada mountains. Six survivors were previously found, two of whom were hospitalized.
“We are still searching for the remaining member,” said Chanan Moon, sheriff of Nevada County, warning that the severe storm is hindering all movement.
“The term extreme weather hardly covers this situation, with massive snow, hurricane-force winds, and zero visibility due to blowing snow.”
Blackbird Mountain Guides, the ski tour company involved in this tragedy, stated that 11 clients and 4 guides had been staying at a cabin near Frog Lake since Sunday and were in the process of returning to base camp when the avalanche struck.
Officials reported that over 40 rescue personnel participated in the search. However, after quickly locating the first six survivors, no signs of the other skiers were found.
Experts had previously warned of severe avalanche risks in the Sierra Nevada range, while Wayne Wu, sheriff of Placer County, urged the public to stay away from the area until weather conditions improve.
Source:cna