CRIME & LAW

Crews Recover Nine Bodies After Castle Peak Avalanche

PUBLISHED Feb 21, 2026, 4:33 PM ET

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Sources: 7

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TRUCKEE, Calif. Crews recovered the bodies of nine backcountry skiers killed in an avalanche near Castle Peak on Saturday after weather and unstable snowpack delayed recovery operations. Helicopters from the California National Guard and Highway Patrol hoisted remains and transferred them to snowcats, while officials used water to intentionally release unstable snow to mitigate further avalanches. The group of 15 included four guides and 11 clients; six people survived. Authorities extended a temporary flight restriction over the site. Officials identified several victims and said search teams had resumed operations when conditions allowed. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

By Sidra | JQJO News

Timeline of Events

Tuesday — Avalanche struck Castle Peak; initial searches found eight bodies and one missing, presumed dead.
Heavy snowfall and ongoing avalanche risk halted recovery operations for several days.
Friday — Officials used water to intentionally release unstable snow as part of mitigation efforts.
Saturday morning — Helicopters reached the site; crews located and recovered the remaining missing person, bringing total recovered to nine.
Authorities extended a temporary flight restriction over the site (extended to 5 p.m. Sunday) while investigators documented the scene.

News Intelligence

Avalanches pose a real threat to backcountry skiers. This tragedy underscores the importance of checking weather and avalanche conditions before heading out. It's a reminder to always have a plan and safety gear. Share this with your adventurous friends who love the great outdoors.

Media Bias

Articles Published:: 7
Right Leaning:: 0
Left Leaning:: 0
Neutral:: 7
Distribution:: Left 0%, Center 100%, Right 0%

Who Benefited

Emergency responders, avalanche mitigation teams, and agencies gained operational experience, improved mitigation data, and coordination lessons that can inform future backcountry safety and search procedures.

Who Impacted

Nine families and broader communities suffered the loss of loved ones while survivors and local residents experienced trauma, grieving, and immediate disruption from suspended backcountry access and recovery operations.