Victim of Deadly Avalanche Near Lake Tahoe Was Married to Search and Rescue Team Member: Officials

One of the victims in an avalanche near Lake Tahoe was married to a volunteer member of the rescue team that responded to the incident, authorities said.

At a Wednesday, Feb. 18 press conference, Placer County Sheriff Wayne Woo said the avalanche had a direct impact on the Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue team.

“This incident has specifically struck our organization and that team hard, as one of the nine missing decedents is a spouse of one of our Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue team members,” Woo said. He added that the tragedy has been emotionally difficult for both the community and responders, and that colleagues have rallied to support the family while continuing recovery efforts.

Officials later clarified that the victim’s spouse, who volunteers with the Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue team, was not involved in search operations after the avalanche, according to local reporting.

Authorities said they received a 911 call around 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17, reporting an avalanche in the Castle Peak area of Tahoe National Forest. The incident involved a group of 15 skiers—11 clients and four guides—near the end of a three-day backcountry trip, according to Blackbird Mountain Guides.

Early reports said nine people were missing and six survived. Officials later confirmed that eight victims had been found dead. Search efforts continued for a ninth skier who was presumed dead.

In a statement Thursday, Feb. 19, a spokesperson for the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office said identities could not be confirmed until victims were recovered, and noted that worsening weather conditions were making it difficult to safely extract those still on the mountain.

After the Wednesday briefing, the San Francisco Chronicle reported that a source said the victims included a group of mothers connected to a ski team at Sugar Bowl Resort. The report said the trip was not affiliated with the resort and was part of an informal tradition.

Sugar Bowl Academy, a ski school in Placer County affiliated with the resort, issued a statement Wednesday acknowledging that some members of its community had died in the avalanche and said it would focus on supporting students, staff, and families in the months and years ahead. Executive Director Stephen McMahon said the school’s priority was surrounding athletes and families with care while allowing time and space for grief and healing.

Six people survived, including two men and four women ranging in age from 30 to 55, officials said. Two survivors were taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries; one has been released and the other remains hospitalized.