Sheriff's Office Update: Avalanche Victims Can't Be Recovered at This Time

An avalanche killed eight skiers on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, near Castle Peak, west of Truckee, California. One skier remains missing at this time.

You can read more about the accident here.

The Nevada County Sheriff’s Office has provided an update regarding the recovery of the victims today, February 19, 2026:

“Due to hazardous weather conditions, avalanche victims cannot be safely extracted off the mountain today,” writes the Sheriff’s Office. “Recovery efforts are expected to carry into the weekend. Until the recovery mission is completed, the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office is unable to confirm the identifications, ages, affiliations, or cities of origin for the victims.”

The full statement is included below. Keep reading for more on this developing story.

A major winter storm has deposited more than 60 inches of snow across the Lake Tahoe region over the last five days. Snow continued to fall at a high rate today, which prevented Search & Rescue from recovering the victim’s bodies.

The Nevada County Sheriff’s Office clarified that additional press conferences are not planned at this time and that all updates will be shared on Facebook when available.

POWDER will continue to cover this developing story. Our thoughts and condolences are with the friends and family of the deceased.

Related: Eight Skiers Confirmed Dead In California Avalanche