2/20/2026 | USA | general | ✓ Verified - nytimes.com

San José State University Graduate Is Found Dead in Tree Well at Lake Tahoe Resort

#San José State University #Lake Tahoe #tree well #skiing accident #Colin Kang #Northstar California Resort #search and rescue #avalanche

📌 Key Takeaways

Colin Kang, a 21-year-old San José State University graduate, died after falling into a tree well at a Lake Tahoe resort.
The search for Kang involved multiple rescue teams and lasted from Tuesday until his body was found on Thursday.
Tree wells are dangerous snow formations around trees that can trap skiers and lead to suffocation.
Kang's death is the third skier fatality in the Lake Tahoe region within two weeks.

📖 Full Retelling

Colin Kang, a 21-year-old recent graduate of San José State University, was found dead in a tree well at Northstar California Resort in Truckee, California on Thursday morning, February 20, 2026, after going skiing on Tuesday and not returning, prompting an extensive search by authorities. The Tahoe Nordic Search & Rescue Team discovered Kang's body on a black diamond run, a challenging trail for expert skiers. Placer County Sheriff's Office spokesperson Elise Soviar confirmed that Kang appeared to have fallen into a tree well, a hidden hollow that forms when snow piles up around trees, leaving an area underneath that remains untouched and poses a significant risk to skiers. Soviar explained that when skiers fall into deep tree wells, they can become trapped, with the potential for snow to collapse around them, making rescue extremely difficult. Tree wells are very common in areas with significant snowfall, Soviar noted, as snow builds up around trees but cannot accumulate directly underneath them. Recent storms in the Lake Tahoe region may have made these tree wells larger and more dangerous. Kang was last seen near the Martis Camp Express ski lift, and his vehicle was found in the Northstar parking lot. The search effort involved more than a dozen skiers, a snowcat, and two snowmobilers from the Tahoe Nordic Search & Rescue Team, with assistance from Northstar Ski Patrol members.

🏷️ Themes

Outdoor safety, Tragedy, University community

📚 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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Connections for Lake Tahoe:

🌐 Sierra Nevada 7 shared

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🌐 California 2 shared

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Deep Analysis

Why It Matters

This tragedy highlights the often-overlooked danger of tree wells and snow immersion suffocation, which remains a leading cause of fatalities at ski resorts, particularly in deep snow conditions. It serves as a critical warning to the skiing community about the importance of skiing with a partner and staying within visual distance, especially when glade skiing or venturing off-piste. The incident also deeply impacts the San José State University community and the victim's family, underscoring the fatal risks that even experienced skiers face on expert terrain.

Context & Background

Tree wells are voids or depressions that form around the base of trees when low-hanging branches prevent snow from accumulating around the trunk, creating a deep pocket of loose snow.
Snow Immersion Suffocation (SIS) occurs when a skier or rider falls head-first into a tree well or deep snow, trapping them and making self-rescue nearly impossible without assistance.
Northstar California Resort is located in Truckee, California, and is known for its extensive gladed terrain, which is popular among advanced skiers but carries higher risks of tree well accidents.
The Lake Tahoe region recently experienced significant storms, resulting in a deep snowpack that increases the depth and hazard level of tree wells.
Safety experts consistently advocate for the 'buddy system,' urging skiers to maintain visual contact with partners to ensure immediate help is available if someone falls into a tree well.

What Happens Next

The Placer County Sheriff’s Office and Coroner’s Office will conduct an official autopsy to confirm the cause of death, likely citing snow immersion asphyxiation. Northstar California Resort and local safety organizations are expected to issue public safety reminders regarding the risks of tree wells following this incident. San José State University will likely provide grief counseling and hold memorial services to support the student community mourning the loss of the recent graduate.

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is a tree well?

A tree well is a hollow area that forms around the base of a tree when snow builds up around the branches but not the trunk, creating a dangerous void of loose snow and air.

Why is it difficult to escape a tree well?

Escaping is difficult because falling in head-first causes the loose snow to pack tightly around the skier, immobilizing them and potentially cutting off their air supply.

What precautions should skiers take to avoid tree well accidents?

Skiers should always ski with a partner and keep them in sight, avoid skiing too close to tree trunks in deep snow, and carry safety equipment like whistles or avalanche transceivers.

Where was the victim found?

Colin Kang was found on a black diamond run at Northstar California Resort, an area designated for expert skiers.

How did the recent weather affect conditions at Lake Tahoe?

Recent storms in the region deposited significant snowfall, which made tree wells larger, deeper, and consequently more hazardous for skiers.

Original Source

              Advertisement SKIP ADVERTISEMENT Supported by SKIP ADVERTISEMENT San José State Graduate Who Went Skiing Is Found Dead in Tree Well The recent graduate, 21, was on a trail in the Lake Tahoe region of California on Tuesday and did not return, prompting a search. His death is under investigation, the authorities said. Share full article By Aimee Ortiz Feb. 20, 2026, 2:34 p.m. ET A recent graduate of San José State University who went skiing at a California resort in Lake Tahoe was found dead along a trail, days after eight skiers were killed in a large avalanche in the region. Colin Kang, 21, the student, was found on a black diamond run , a challenging type of trail for expert skiers, by the Tahoe Nordic Search & Rescue Team on Thursday morning, the Placer County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement posted on social media. Elise Soviar, a spokesperson with the sheriff’s office, confirmed Mr. Kang’s identity on Friday. It appeared that Mr. Kang “fell into a tree well,” Ms. Soviar said, but his cause of death remained under investigation. A tree well is a hidden hollow that forms when snow piles up around the outside of trees, leaving an area under the tree that remains untouched and poses a risk to skiers, Ms. Soviar said. When skiers fall into deep tree wells, they can get stuck, she said, and there’s a chance that snow could collapse around them. Tree wells are “very common,” Ms. Soviar said, adding that “even like in ski resorts, trees would have tree wells just because snow builds up, but it can’t snow directly underneath a tree.” Storms, like the ones that have been battering the region lately, can make those tree wells larger, she said, “but they naturally exist any time there’s a significant amount of snow.” Mr. Kang, who went skiing on Tuesday and did not return, was last seen near the Martis Camp Express, a ski lift that connects to the trail where his body was found at the Northstar California Resort in Truckee, Calif., according to the sheriff’s office and ...
            

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