🔴 BREAKING
Updated February 18, 2026 at 05:58 PM ET
Search and rescue teams continue operations for 9 missing skiers following major avalanche in alpine terrain.
A slide occurred in backcountry terrain near the lake at approximately 2:15 PM local time today. Multiple rescue teams from state wildlife, county sheriff, and volunteer search organizations have mobilized. The avalanche risk remains elevated in the region due to recent weather patterns.
Nine skiers are missing after an avalanche struck backcountry terrain near a mountain lake in alpine country. The slide occurred during afternoon hours when a group of experienced backcountry skiers was traversing a known run. Search and rescue teams from multiple jurisdictions deployed immediately. Weather conditions and terrain difficulty are complicating rescue operations. Authorities have established a command post and are coordinating aerial reconnaissance alongside ground teams.
Key People & Organizations
County Sheriff's Office — Primary incident commander coordinating all rescue and recovery operations.
State Mountain Rescue Team — Specialized alpine rescue unit conducting field search operations and victim recovery.
National Weather Service — Providing avalanche forecasts and weather updates to guide rescue strategy.
Local Ski Patrol — Assisting with terrain knowledge and contributing personnel to rescue efforts.
Regional Backcountry Ski Group — The organization that organized the group; providing information about participants and route plans.
Emergency Medical Services — Providing medical response and coordinating evacuation procedures for any survivors.
State Wildlife Agency — Mobilizing helicopters for aerial search and reconnaissance.
Background & Context
Backcountry skiing involves travel through unmarked, unpatrolled mountain terrain beyond ski area boundaries. These areas offer deeper snow and more challenging descents than resort runs but carry significant avalanche risk. The sport has grown in popularity over the past decade as more skiers seek untracked snow and remote experiences. Avalanches occur when layers of snow lose bonding and slide downslope, often triggered by new snow weight, rapid temperature changes, or human activity on slopes steeper than 30 degrees.
The region near the lake is known among backcountry enthusiasts as a premier ski destination, but it sits in a zone with substantial avalanche history. Recent storms create heightened risk periods where conditions can change dramatically within hours. Most avalanche fatalities involve groups of experienced users who underestimate risk or misjudge changing conditions. Survival rates in buried avalanches drop sharply after 15 minutes; rescue speed is the primary factor determining outcomes.
This incident intersects with broader debates about backcountry access, personal responsibility, and rescue resource allocation. Some areas have implemented mandatory beacon and probe requirements. Others have restricted access during high-risk periods. Search and rescue organizations, often staffed by volunteers, face increasing call volume as backcountry sports expand. The economics of helicopter rescue—costs can exceed $10,000 per flight—has sparked discussions about who bears responsibility for operations in remote terrain.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to common questions
What is an avalanche beacon and why does it matter?
Avalanche beacons are radio transceivers worn by backcountry travelers. In burial situations, beacons switch to receive mode, helping rescuers locate buried victims. Modern beacons can detect a buried person up to 70 meters away. Studies show proper beacon use improves survival rates significantly, but beacons only function if the wearer is equipped and trained in rescue procedures.
Why did rescuers say they are doing rescue, not recovery?
Rescue operations assume missing people are alive and conduct urgent searches. Recovery operations assume fatalities and proceed more slowly with careful evidence preservation. Incident commanders shift language based on time elapsed, burial depth, and survival probability. The distinction affects operational speed and resource intensity.
How does avalanche rescue differ from regular rescue?
Avalanche rescue requires specialized training in snow probe techniques, quick dig procedures, and avalanche terrain assessment. Rescuers must work in terrain that remains unstable, creating dual hazard (threat to buried victims and rescue workers). Most avalanche rescues are completed within the first 15 minutes by companions of the buried person, before professional teams arrive.
What does 'considerable' mean in avalanche forecasts?
The National Avalanche Danger Scale rates risk from low to extreme. 'Considerable' is the third level and indicates that human-triggered avalanches are very likely and natural avalanches are possible. Travel in avalanche terrain requires careful route selection and group management. A considerable rating typically prompts closure recommendations for steep slopes.
Why would the group ski during high-risk conditions?
Backcountry skiers balance avalanche risk against other factors: time of season, snow quality, group experience, and route familiarity. Experienced groups often have risk assessment protocols. Some may travel on routes with specific protective features (ridges, forest coverage) even during high danger periods. Decisions involve complex judgment calls that can prove fatal when misjudged.