California Guide Company Appeals $150k OSHA Fines For State's Deadliest Avalanche

Cal/OSHA has fined Blackbird Mountain Guides (BMG) more than $150,000 for the deadly avalanche that claimed nine lives near Castle Peak on February 17, 2026, according to KCRA3.

BMG was guiding a group of skiers from the popular Frog Lake backcountry huts during one of the largest storms of the season. The avalanche killed three of BMG’s professional guides and six guests.

BMG has since revealed in a press release dated August 21, 2026, that it is officially appealing the fines levied by Cal/OSHA.

“The citations do not reflect the reality of our profession or the safety program we have built,” Blackbird Mountain Guides said. “We believe Blackbird operated in full compliance with all applicable regulatory requirements and consistent with the established safety frameworks of the broader professional mountain guiding industry. Mountain guiding takes place in dynamic wilderness environments where conditions change minute to minute — it’s not a controlled setting such as construction sites. We welcome the opportunity to work with Cal/OSHA to contextualize the unique realities of operating in backcountry environments.”

Blackbird Mountain Guides is facing the following fines from Cal/OSHA, which accumulate to $151,300, according to KCRA3:

• Failing to correct the imminent hazard posed by traveling in avalanche terrain when the avalanche danger was rated high. $81,000 (willful-serious accident-related)
• Failing to adequately identify and assess avalanche hazards. $16,200 (serious accident-related)
• Failing to provide effective employee training. $16,200 (serious)
• Failing to assess the need for protective equipment. $16,200 (serious)
• Failing to establish and maintain an effective Injury and Illness Prevention Program. $16,200 (serious)
• Deficiencies in the employer’s Heat Illness Prevention Plan. $500 (general)
• Failing to report the three employee fatalities to Cal/OSHA within the required timeframe. $5,000 (regulatory).

Blackbird Mountain Guides owner Zeb Blais offered multiple defenses for the appeal in the press release.

“As an IFMGA guide, I’ve pursued the highest training and certification available to our industry because I take this responsibility seriously, as do all of my guides,” writes Blais. “Guides pursue knowledge and excellence as a lifelong responsibility, and the guides on this trip approached their work with care and professionalism.”

BMG published an independent investigation of the incident on August 9, 2026. The company explains why the group was traveling in avalanche terrain, mistakes that were made, and more. You can read that in full here.

POWDER will continue to cover this developing story.

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