A tragic avalanche in Tahoe National Forest has become one of the deadliest incidents of its kind in the state’s history. Authorities responded after receiving a 911 call on Feb. 17 at around 11:30 a.m. reporting a major slide near Castle Peak.

The avalanche struck in the Castle Peak area near Lake Tahoe, a popular destination for backcountry skiing. Emergency crews quickly launched a large search and rescue operation as details about those involved began to emerge.

According to officials, a group of 15 skiers was caught in the avalanche at the end of a three-day backcountry trip. The group included 11 clients and four professional guides participating in an organized excursion.

The trip had been arranged by Blackbird Mountain Guides, a company that leads guided skiing experiences in remote terrain. Such trips require experience, planning, and careful monitoring of snow conditions.

Initial reports indicated that nine members of the group were missing while six survived. Search teams worked through challenging conditions, using specialized equipment to locate those buried beneath the snow.

Nevada County Sheriff Shannan Moon later confirmed that eight of the missing individuals had been found dead, with the final skier presumed deceased. Authorities noted that seven of the victims were women.

Subsequent reporting suggested several victims were mothers connected to the community surrounding Sugar Bowl Resort. While the trip was not organized by the resort, it had reportedly been part of a longstanding tradition among families.

In a statement, Sugar Bowl Academy confirmed that members of its community and others with ties to the local backcountry network were among those killed. Officials have withheld further details to respect the privacy of the families as the community mourns.