2/18/2026 | USA | world | ✓ Verified - pbs.org

6 backcountry skiers rescued alive, 10 missing after California avalanche, authorities say

#avalanche #backcountry skiing #California #winter storm #rescue #missing persons #Northern California

📌 Key Takeaways

Six backcountry skiers rescued alive after avalanche
Ten people still missing in Northern California
Avalanche occurred during powerful winter storm
Rescue efforts hampered by severe weather conditions

📖 Full Retelling

Six backcountry skiers were rescued alive while ten others remained missing Tuesday following a devastating avalanche in Northern California, which occurred as a powerful winter storm swept through the state. The avalanche struck in a remote mountain area where the skiers were enjoying fresh powder, catching them unaware as the winter system dumped several feet of snow in the region. Emergency response teams have been working tirelessly in treacherous conditions, with helicopters grounded due to the severity of the storm and rescue teams forced to navigate through deep snow and unstable terrain. The incident highlights the dangers of backcountry skiing, especially during unpredictable weather systems that can rapidly change mountain conditions and increase avalanche risks in areas that may have seemed safe just hours earlier.

🏷️ Themes

Natural disasters, Winter safety, Search and rescue

📚 Related People & Topics

Northern California

American geographic and cultural region

Northern California (commonly shortened to NorCal) is a geocultural region that comprises the northern portion of the U.S. state of California, spanning the northernmost 48 of the state's 58 counties. Northern California in its largest definition is determined by dividing the state into two regions,...

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California

U.S. state

California () is a state in the Western United States that lies on the Pacific Coast. It borders Oregon to the north, Nevada and Arizona to the east, and shares an international border with the Mexican state of Baja California to the south. With almost 40 million residents across an area of 163,696 ...

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Entity Intersection Graph

Connections for Northern California:

👤 Winter Storms 1 shared

🌐 Winter storm 1 shared

👤 California Snow 1 shared

🌐 Sierra Nevada 1 shared

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Deep Analysis

Why It Matters

The avalanche in Northern California killed 10 skiers and left 6 survivors, highlighting the risks of backcountry skiing during severe storms. It underscores the need for better avalanche awareness and emergency response.

Context & Background

Avalanche occurred during a powerful winter storm
Six skiers were rescued alive
Ten skiers remain missing

What Happens Next

Search and rescue teams will continue to look for the missing skiers while authorities assess the avalanche conditions. The incident may prompt reviews of backcountry safety protocols.

Frequently Asked Questions

What caused the avalanche?

The powerful winter storm increased snowpack instability in the area.

How many skiers were rescued?

Six skiers were found alive and rescued.

What actions are being taken?

Search and rescue teams are still searching for the missing skiers and authorities are monitoring avalanche risk.

Original Source

              Six backcountry skiers were found alive and 10 others were still missing Tuesday after an avalanche in Northern California during a powerful winter storm moving through the state.
            

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Source

pbs.org