Tour Company Speaks After 9 Skiers Go Missing in Lake Tahoe Avalanche [WATCH]

A backcountry tour company is addressing the public after nine skiers were reported missing following an avalanche near Lake Tahoe, as questions mount over whether the trip should have proceeded amid a major winter storm, as reported by The New York Post.

The avalanche struck around 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, near the Frog Lake huts in the Castle Peak area, a short drive from Truckee, as heavy snow and high winds battered the region.

Authorities believe 15 people were caught in the slide. Six survived and were instructed to remain at the huts while rescue crews worked to reach them. Nine remain unaccounted for.

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Blackbird Mountain Guides confirmed it had organized the trip, which included 11 clients and four guides.

I took this video on Castle Peak Road around 11:30 a.m. this morning, when the avalanche that struck 16 backcountry skiers occurred roughly 2 miles away at Frog Lake.

Winter storm conditions were extreme. pic.twitter.com/OoIQQ8eAVx

— Colin McCarthy (@US_Stormwatch) February 18, 2026

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The group had been staying at the Frog Lake huts since February 15 and was returning to the trailhead at the end of a three-day tour when the avalanche occurred.

In a statement, the company said: “Blackbird Mountain Guides is currently responding to a serious backcountry incident involving an avalanche that occurred this morning, February 17, near the Frog Lake huts in the Castle Peak area.

“A total of 11 clients and four guides had been staying at the Frog Lake huts since February 15. The group was in the process of returning to the trailhead at the conclusion of a three-day trip when the incident occurred.

“The leadership team at Blackbird Mountain Guides is working in full coordination with the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office and Nevada County Search and Rescue to support the ongoing rescue operation.

“Blackbird Mountain Guides is in direct contact with the emergency contacts of the affected clients and guides and is providing them with regular updates as verified information becomes available.”

A large-scale rescue effort was launched shortly after the avalanche. Forty-six first responders were deployed to the scene.

Crews used snowcats, snowmobiles, and skis to reach the area, but severe weather conditions have hampered progress and temporarily cut off access to parts of the region.

The Sierra Avalanche Center had issued an avalanche warning effective from 5 a.m. February 17 through 5 a.m. February 18.

The Nevada County Sheriff’s Department said in a statement: “The Sierra Avalanche Center previously issued an avalanche warning for today, Feb. 17, which has been in effect since 5 a.m. today through Feb. 18 at 5 a.m., stating: ‘HIGH avalanche danger exists in the backcountry.’

#BREAKING
AVALANCHE CASTLE PEAK
Rescue Mission
NEVEDA – CALIFORNIA

A Sierra Avalanche Center official told ABC News that the group of more than a dozen backcountry skiers was leaving an overnight hut trip at Frog Lake Hut.

This event happened this morning and the 10… pic.twitter.com/tT0zCf1ZzK

— MəanL¡LMə♡₩ (@MeanLILMeoW) February 18, 2026

“Large avalanches are expected to occur Tuesday, Tuesday night, and into at least early Wednesday morning across backcountry terrain. HIGH avalanche danger might continue through the day on Wednesday.”

The avalanche occurred at approximately 8,200 feet in elevation. According to the Sierra Avalanche Center, the slide was measured at 2.5 on a 1-to-5 destructive scale.

A 2.5 avalanche is capable of injuring, burying or killing a person and is typically about the length of a football field, with snow reaching more than six feet high.

The Frog Lake Backcountry Huts are remote cabins offering various bunk-style sleeping arrangements for backcountry skiers and snowboarders.

The website states: “Backcountry skiers, cross country skiers, backcountry snowboarders and snowshoers will be able to access and stay at the Frog Lake Backcountry Huts from numerous directions, offering boundless terrain from the huts’ doorsteps to explore during your stay.

“All routes involve avalanche terrain, requiring appropriate education and safety equipment.”

Public criticism followed news of the incident, with some questioning why the group was on the mountain despite forecasts warning of severe conditions.

Kurt Gensheimer, who said he had been at Frog Lake from Thursday to Sunday before leaving ahead of the storm, told The California Post: “I was at Frog Lake from Thursday to Sunday, but we got out before the storm moved in.”

He added: “Absolutely a preventable tragedy is all I will say about it.”

Social media users also raised concerns. Don Coelho wrote: “What in God’s name were they doing up there today of all days! Hope they survive and learn a really important lesson.”

Ken Buck posted: “Those ski guides; bad call. I hope all are found safe.” Heather Sears added: “Praying for all but questions about how ‘guides’ took them out in these conditions. Really? Did they not read the warnings?”

Authorities have not released the names of the missing skiers. An avalanche warning remains in effect for the area as search and rescue operations continue.

Crews have rescued six skiers caught in a California avalanche, while nine more are still stuck in mountainous snow and ice conditions. NewsNation’s @MaxTsaparis explains how the weather is affecting search efforts. More: https://t.co/iB9vCEy3DX pic.twitter.com/tHWJeM6UEA

— NewsNation (@NewsNation) February 18, 2026

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