Avalanche
The February 17, 2026, Lake Tahoe avalanche was the worst (largest loss of life) ski/snowboard avalanche in North American history.
UC Berkeley Snow Lab on Donner Summit, CA, reported that this was the 3rd largest 5-day snow total (111″) on record (since 1970).
2/20/26 8:35 am Update:The #snow has stopped but not before giving us another 18.5″ (47 cm) in the last day. That brings our 5-day total to 111″ (281.5 cm), the third snowiest 5-day period on record at the lab behind December 1970 (113″) and April 1982 (118.5″) with digitized records beginning in 1970.” – UC Berkeley Snow Lab
“Nine people died in the Castle Peak avalanche on February 17, 2026, during one of the biggest storms in the last 50yrs. This is a internationally certified guide’s breakdown of what happened, why it happened, and what you can do to prevent further deaths. We cover the snowpack, the terrain, the four route options, the human factor traps, and why the backcountry community, guides & the public, need stop-and-go guardrails like other high risk industries where lives are on the line. This video is not about blame, it’s about saving the next nine. Our deepest condolences to the families and communities affected. Check your avalanche conditions before every trip at AspectAvy, free for everyone.” – Aspect Avy
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