UPDATE: TRUCKEE, Calif. – A group of 16 skiers reportedly encountered an avalanche in the Castle Peak area of Truckee at approximately 11:30 a.m. today. At least six of the skiers have survived the avalanche and remain at the avalanche site, awaiting rescue, with the remaining ten unaccounted for at the time of this release. The group consisted of four ski guides with 12 clients.

Highly skilled rescue ski teams have departed from both Boreal Mountain Ski Resort and Tahoe Donner’s Alder Creek Adventure Center to make their way to the six known survivors, who have been directed to shelter in place as best they can in the conditions. A SnoCat team was also launched from Alder Creek Adventure Center.

Rescue efforts remain in progress now with 46 emergency first responders. Weather conditions remain highly dangerous. 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. 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 Nevada County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the following agencies for their direct assistance in these rescue efforts: Nevada County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue, Placer County Sheriff’s Office, Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue, Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, Washoe County Search and Rescue, and Truckee Fire.

This incident remains active and ongoing.

NEVADA COUNTY, Calif. – A group of backcountry skiers was involved in an avalanche near the Castle Peak area Tuesday morning, and search crews are on the scene. Castle Peak is north of I80 and Soda Springs.

The Nevada County Sheriff’s Office (NCSO), the Nevada County Sheriff’s Search & Rescue team, and allied agencies responded to the report of an avalanche at approximately 11:30 a.m. According to the NCSO, several members of the party are missing at this time. 

This is the same area where an Oregon man who was an experienced snowmobiler died in an avalanche in January 2026.

This is a developing incident, and further details will be provided as they become available.