This image provided by the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office shows members of a rescue team in Soda Springs, California on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026.
Rescue teams are racing against time after a deadly California avalanche struck a remote mountain zone.
The massive slide trapped several backcountry skiers and left others missing during a fierce winter storm.
Authorities say communication with some survivors continues while crews push through extreme snow and wind.
Emergency Call Sparks Rapid California Avalanche Response
The California avalanche was reported late Tuesday morning through a 911 emergency call.
The incident occurred near Frog Lake in the Castle Peak region, northwest of Lake Tahoe.
The area sits deep within the rugged northern section of the Sierra Nevada mountains.
Search crews quickly deployed using skis, snowmobiles, and heavy snowcats.
Officials confirmed that six skiers were found alive but stranded in harsh terrain.
They were instructed to remain sheltered until rescuers safely reach their remote location.
Survivors Build Shelter While Awaiting Help
Authorities say the trapped skiers managed to assemble a temporary tarp shelter.
Emergency beacon devices allowed them to exchange messages with rescuers throughout the ordeal.
Officials described the group as stable but exposed to severe winter conditions.
Rescue leaders stressed the mission must proceed slowly because fresh snowfall threatens additional avalanches.
Teams continue advancing carefully to avoid triggering another dangerous slide.
The combination of deep powder and unstable snow layers remains a major concern.
Backcountry Ski Trip Turned Into Survival Situation
Forecasters explained the group had been finishing a three-day wilderness ski expedition.
The tour required navigating several miles of steep and isolated mountain terrain.
Participants carried food, supplies, and overnight gear while staying in remote alpine huts.
The guiding company confirmed that twelve guests and four professional guides joined the expedition.
Company officials said they are cooperating closely with local authorities during the California avalanche rescue.
Violent Winter Storm Creates Extreme Avalanche Risk
Meteorologists say the California avalanche happened during one of the season’s strongest storms.
Heavy snowfall, thunderstorm activity, and powerful winds battered mountain regions throughout the state.
Experts warn the storm rapidly piled fresh snow onto fragile older snow layers.
Avalanche specialists issued a formal warning early Tuesday morning.
They predicted large slides could continue across the central Sierra Nevada through Wednesday.
Forecasters also warned that backcountry travel remains extremely dangerous until conditions stabilize.
Ski Resorts Close as Snowfall Intensifies
Several ski resorts near Donner Summit and the Tahoe region reduced operations or shut entirely.
Resorts maintain avalanche control systems that lower risk within managed boundaries.
However, uncontrolled backcountry terrain lacks those protections and poses much greater danger.
Authorities strongly urged visitors to avoid travel near avalanche-prone slopes.
Officials emphasized that even experienced skiers face serious risks during intense storms.
Historic Mountain Area Known for Harsh Winters
Castle Peak rises more than 9,000 feet above the Donner Summit corridor.
The region attracts many experienced skiers seeking deep wilderness routes beyond resort trails.
Yet the same rugged beauty also brings unpredictable and often deadly winter hazards.
The broader Donner area holds a grim winter legacy.
The historic Donner Party became trapped nearby during the brutal winter of 1846.
Snow Totals Climb as Rescue Efforts Continue
Nearby Soda Springs recorded roughly thirty inches of snowfall within just twenty-four hours.
Forecasters expect parts of northern California mountains could receive several additional feet.
Transportation officials already reported spinouts and crashes along Interstate 80 near the Nevada border.
Avalanche fatalities remain a serious national concern each winter.
Experts estimate between twenty-five and thirty avalanche deaths occur annually across the United States.
For now, rescuers remain focused on reaching the stranded group safely.
The ongoing California avalanche operation continues as crews battle weather, terrain, and time.
