A devastating avalanche just North of Lake Tahoe is feared to have buried up to 10 backcountry skiers, triggering a massive search effort.
The avalanche struck around 11:30 a.m. in Castle Peak near Truckee as a winter storm continued to rage throughout the area. “It has been reported that a group of backcountry skiers was involved in the incident, with several members of the party missing at this time,” the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office said in a release Tuesday.
The avalanche struck around 11:30 a.m. AP
Teams from the Sheriff’s Office, Nevada County Search & Rescue and other groups have mobilized at the scene. CHP Truckee
A snow-covered Highway Patrol vehicle with flashing lights on a snow-covered road. CHP Truckee
A total of 16 people (12 skiers and four guides) — were blasted by the terrifying avalanche, according to the sheriff’s office.
While six of the skiers somehow survived the event, they still remained at the site awaiting rescue more than five hours after the avalanche was first triggered — leaving 10 still unaccounted for.
The avalanche happened at an elevation of approximately 8,200 feet near Frog Lake.
A vehicle is buried in snow during a storm on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026 in Truckee Calif. AP
An avalanche is measured by its destructive size on a scale of 1-5, Tuesday’s avalanche measured as a 2.5 on the scale, according to the Sierra Avalanche Center. A 2.5 avalanche is capable of injuring, burying or killing a person and is usually about a football field in length with snow more than two yards high.
Prior to the avalanche, the group was lodged at the Frog Lake Backcountry Huts — a group of remote cabins for skiers to stay during their time on the mountain — Steve Reynaud from the Sierra Avalanche Center in Truckee told The California Post.
The huts offer a variety of sleeping options, with various bunks in each, and an ominous warning to those who choose to stay there.
The Nevada County Sheriff’s Office along with our Nevada County Sheriff’s Search & Rescue team and allied agencies, are responding to a report of an avalanche in the Castle Peak area. Nevada County Sheriffs Office
Two cars drive on a snow-covered road during a storm in Truckee, California. AP
“Backcountry skiers, cross country skiers, backcountry snowboarders and snowshoers will be able to access and stay at the Frog Lake Backcountry Huts from numerous directions, offering boundless terrain from the huts’ doorsteps to explore during your stay. All routes involve avalanche terrain, requiring appropriate education and safety equipment,” the Frog Lake Huts’s website reads.
The group arrived at the huts Sunday for a two night, three day, Reynaud said.
Trucks lined up on Interstate 80 during a snow storm. AP
Four cars covered in snow during a snowstorm in Truckee, California. AP
The plan was for the group to leave the Frog Lake Huts Tuesday morning to head back home, Reynaud added, and that’s when the avalanche struck.
A massive search effort was quickly put into place following the horrifying weather event, with 46 first responders deployed to the scene. Teams from the Sheriff’s Office, Nevada County Search & Rescue and other groups all mobilized and launched a coordinated rescue mission.
Rescuers used snowcats, snowmobiles and skis in order to get to the surviving six, who were told to stay in place and wait for help.
It’s currently unknown who the missing skiers are, but to make things worse, an avalanche warning remains in place for the area through Wednesday.
Motorists drive on a snow-covered road during a storm. AP
A road is covered in snow during a storm. AP
“The Sierra Avalanche Center previously issued an avalanche warning for today, Feb. 17, which has been in effect since 5 a.m. today through Feb. 18 at 5 a.m., stating: “HIGH avalanche danger exists in the backcountry,” the Nevada County Sheriff’s Department said in a statement released Tuesday.
“Large avalanches are expected to occur Tuesday, Tuesday night, and into at least early Wednesday morning across backcountry terrain. HIGH avalanche danger might continue through the day on Wednesday.”