Eight Skiers Dead, One Missing After California Avalanche

This image provided by the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office shows members of a rescue team hike through snow in Soda Springs, California, on Feb. 17.Source: Nevada County Sheriff’s Office/AP Photo

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By John Gittelsohn, Brian K Sullivan, and Alicia Clanton

February 18, 2026 at 3:38 AM UTC

Updated on

February 18, 2026 at 9:28 PM UTC

Eight people were killed and a ninth is missing and presumed dead after a powerful avalanche swept through a guided backcountry ski trip in the mountains of northern California, according to local authorities.

The slide struck on Tuesday near Castle Peak in the Sierra Nevada, close to Lake Tahoe, a popular winter destination that draws skiers from around the world. The area lies about 185 miles (300 kilometers) northeast of San Francisco.