'Devastated beyond words': Close friends and sisters among nine skiers killed in avalanche
#California avalanche #Skiing deaths #Castle Peak #Avalanche safety #Off-piste skiing #Lake Tahoe #Search and rescue #Avalanche investigation
📌 Key Takeaways
- Nine skiers killed in California avalanche including six close friends
- All victims were experienced off-piste skiers carrying safety equipment
- Recovery operation lasted several days due to harsh weather conditions
- Authorities investigating potential causes and possible negligence
- Deadliest avalanche in modern California history
📖 Full Retelling
Nine skiers, including six close friends and sisters, were killed in an avalanche at Castle Peak, about 10 miles north of Lake Tahoe, California on Tuesday, February 18, 2026, in what authorities are investigating as the deadliest avalanche in modern California history. The victims were experienced off-piste skiers who were carrying avalanche safety equipment as part of a three-day guided tour. Recovery operations continued until Saturday due to intense snowfall and dangerous conditions that hindered search efforts. Six of the victims were part of a close-knit group of mothers and friends in their 40s, identified as Carrie Atkin, Danielle Keatley, Kate Morse, Kate Vitt, and sisters Liz Clabaugh and Caroline Sekar, whose families described them as 'devastated beyond words' and 'extraordinary women' connected by their love of the outdoors. The three additional victims were guides Andrew Alissandratos, 34, Nicole Choo, 42, and Michael Henry, 30, who worked for Blackbird Mountain Guides. Despite their experience and safety precautions, the avalanche struck the group of 15 with terrifying force, described as the length of a football field. Six people survived the incident, including two members of the friend group, three skiers, and one guide, who were rescued after calling for help around 11:30 am on the day of the avalanche. Authorities are investigating potential causes, including whether any factors might constitute criminal negligence, while families of the victims report having 'many unanswered questions' about what triggered the disaster.
🏷️ Themes
Tragedy, Outdoor recreation safety, Community impact, Investigation
📚 Related People & Topics
Lake Tahoe
Lake in California and Nevada, United States
Lake Tahoe () is a freshwater lake in the Sierra Nevada of the Western United States, straddling the border between California and Nevada. Lying at 6,225 ft (1,897 m) above sea level, Lake Tahoe is the largest alpine lake in North America, and at 122,160,280 acre⋅ft (150.7 km3) it trails only the fi...
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Close friends and sisters among nine skiers killed in California avalanche Six of the victims were part of a close-knit group of friends who were experienced off-piste skiers, their families said in a statement, adding that they were carrying avalanche safety equipment. Sunday 22 February 2026 08:44, UK 1:11 Share Crews recover bodies of nine skiers in California Why you can trust Sky News Six close friends and mothers are among the nine off-piste skiers who were killed in an avalanche in California. The avalanche hit on Castle Peak, about 10 miles (16km) north of Lake Tahoe, on Tuesday, but the recovery of the victims' bodies took until Saturday as the search and rescue operation was hindered by intense snowfall. Six of the victims were part of a close-knit group of friends who were experienced off-piste skiers, their families said in a statement, adding that they were carrying avalanche safety equipment. The women in their 40s were named as Carrie Atkin, Danielle Keatley, Kate Morse, Kate Vitt and sisters Liz Clabaugh and Caroline Sekar. "We are devastated beyond words. Our focus right now is supporting our children through this incredible tragedy and honouring the lives of these extraordinary women," the families said. "They were all mothers, wives and friends, all of whom connected through the love of the outdoors." 'Best people I've ever known' Tributes described the women as kind people and dedicated mothers. Danielle Keatley, from the San Francisco city of Larkspur, "was warm, kind and exuded a special quality that drew people to her", Larkspur's mayor Stephanie Andre said. Fellow Larkspur resident Rob Bramble added that she was "just a great mum". Carrie Atkin, who lived in Lake Tahoe with her husband and two children, was a former corporate executive who had attended Harvard on a track and field scholarship. "Everybody liked Carrie. She was a good person," her high school hurdling coach, Jerome Bearden, said after hearing about her death from a former stude...
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