Nine Victims of California Avalanche Died from Asphyxia
8th August 2026
That’s the conclusion of the Nevada County Coroner’s Office as they suffocated under the packed snow. The majority of avalanche deaths however are due to asphyxiation, not trauma The tragedy…
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That’s the conclusion of the Nevada County Coroner’s Office as they suffocated under the packed snow.
The majority of avalanche deaths however are due to asphyxiation, not trauma
The tragedy happened on February 17th 2026 and was California’s deadliest avalanche and the worst in the USA since 1981.
We reported on it at the time:
- Nine skiers missing after avalanche in USA
- Bodies of nine skiers recovered from US avalanche
- Report into worst US ski avalanche published
The nine fatalities included three guides from Blackbird Mountain Guides and six clients.
Five clients and one guide survived the avalanche.
The deaths happened after two groups of skiers decided to come together to return to the trailhead at the Castle Peak Snowpark on Donner Summit.
One group consisted of eight women staying at the nearby Frog Lake huts and two guides. The other group comprised three males and two guides.
A report by US Forest Service National Avalanche Center and Colorado Avalanche Information Center found that the guided group deviated from basic safety practices in crossing slide-prone terrain close together despite a warning that avalanches were expected.
The report stops short of assigning blame, but raises questions about the group’s decisions and the guiding company’s choice to travel as avalanche risk remained high.
The cause of the avalanche is still unknown and investigations are continuing, including possible prosecutions.
Skiing in the USA. Image © PlanetSKI
