Nine Skiers Still Missing After Lake Tahoe Avalanche
✍️ Editor: Sudhir Choudhary
📅 February 18, 2026
Rescue operations continued Wednesday in the Lake Tahoe region of California and Nevada as authorities search for nine skiers still missing following a powerful avalanche that struck a backcountry slope late Monday afternoon.
The avalanche occurred near a popular off-piste route in the Sierra Nevada mountains just outside established ski resort boundaries, according to local search and rescue officials. The slide was triggered amid heavy snowfall and unstable snowpack conditions, part of a series of winter storms that have recently impacted the region.
Search and Rescue Efforts Underway
Teams from multiple agencies — including the California Highway Patrol, local sheriffs’ offices, volunteer mountain rescue units, and search dog teams — are combing the avalanche site. Helicopters equipped with thermal imaging cameras have been deployed to scan the terrain when weather conditions allow.
Officials said the ongoing weather, including wind and falling snow, is making the search more difficult and increasing the risk of secondary avalanches, forcing crews to proceed with caution.
“We are coordinating all available resources and working around the clock,” a spokesperson for the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office said in a press briefing. “Our priority remains finding those missing and supporting affected families.”
Authorities have not released the identities of the missing skiers, citing ongoing safety and family notification procedures.
Avalanche Risk and Conditions
The Sierra Avalanche Center had issued elevated risk warnings for the area prior to the incident, citing unstable snow layers and recent significant snowfall. Experts emphasize that wind-loaded slopes and steep gradients present heightened danger during such periods.
Backcountry skiing, particularly beyond resort boundaries, carries inherent risk. Avalanche safety specialists recommend that skiers travel in groups equipped with transceivers, probes and shovels, and complete formal avalanche safety training before entering high-risk terrain.
Officials reiterated that monitoring conditions and making conservative decisions are key to preventing tragedies in challenging mountain environments.
Support and Next Steps
Local authorities have established a reunification center near the search perimeter to assist families and provide updates. Mental health professionals are also on hand to support relatives and friends affected by the ongoing ordeal.
As search efforts enter their second full day, officials stressed that conditions permitting, teams would continue operations around the clock. However, safety considerations remain paramount due to the unstable snowpack and potential for further slides.
No confirmed rescues have been reported since the avalanche struck, and officials made clear that the status of the missing skiers remains uncertain. A formal investigation into the trigger and progression of the avalanche is underway, with forensic analysis of the snowpack expected to inform future avalanche risk assessments.
Authorities urged the public to stay clear of backcountry slopes during hazardous conditions and to report any sightings of the missing individuals to local law enforcement or rescue teams.
Sources: Nevada County Sheriff’s Office; Sierra Avalanche Center advisories; California Highway Patrol; local emergency response briefings.
Tags: Lake Tahoe, Avalanche, Sierra Nevada, Search and Rescue, Winter Storm, Missing Skiers
News by The Vagabond News.
