Eight backcountry skiers found dead and 1 still missing after California avalanche [View all]

Source: AP

By BROOKE HESS-HOMEIER, JULIE WATSON and JOHN SEEWER
Updated 2:07 PM CST, February 18, 2026
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NEVADA CITY, Calif. (AP) — Crews found the bodies of eight backcountry skiers and are searching for one more who remains missing after an avalanche in the mountains near Lake Tahoe, authorities said Wednesday, making it the deadliest U.S. avalanche in nearly half a century.

Authorities have told the families the mission has moved from rescuing people to recovering bodies, Nevada County Sheriff Shannan Moon said during a news conference.

Six others from the same group of skiers were rescued Tuesday. They were on a guided, three-day trek in Northern California’s Sierra Nevada as a monster winter storm pummeled the West Coast.

“Someone saw the avalanche, yelled avalanche, and it overtook them rather quickly,” said Capt. Russell “Rusty” Greene, of the sheriff’s office.



Read more: https://apnews.com/article/california-avalanche-backcountry-skiers-rescue-missing-f7b4a89c38af634e39a152a874db17f0