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Eight confirmed dead in Lake Tahoe area avalanche, one missing
Tragedy marks deadliest avalanche disaster in modern California history
Fifteen skiers were caught in an avalanche north of Lake Tahoe on Tuesday. Six skiers were rescued Tuesday, eight were confirmed dead as of Wednesday, and one remains missing.
Eight backcountry skiers confirmed dead, one remains missing
As of this afternoon, authorities say eight backcountry skiers are confirmed dead after an avalanche near Castle Peak, north of Interstate 80 near Donner Summit. One skier remains missing.
The operation has officially shifted from a rescue to a recovery mission.
Fifteen people were on the trip. Six survived: One guide and five clients. Two were injured; one remains hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.
The avalanche struck Monday morning in remote terrain within the Tahoe National Forest. The group was on a guided three-day ski tour with Blackbird Mountain Guides.
Continue reading this report from KUNR’s Maria Palma.
Search continues for skiers caught in Lake Tahoe avalanche
The search continues for nine skiers caught in an avalanche north of Lake Tahoe, California. Six others were rescued Tuesday amid one of the strongest winter storms of the year in and around the Donner Pass.
This segment aired on February 18, 2026. View the original publication of this segment on the WBUR website.
Six skiers rescued after California avalanche; search continues for nine others
Six backcountry skiers who survived an avalanche in California Tuesday have been rescued. The sheriff's office said the search for the nine remaining skiers is ongoing.
This segment aired on February 18, 2026. View the original publication of this segment and transcript on NPR.org.