Tahoe avalanche: What causes snow slopes to collapse? A physicist and skier explains, with tips for surviving

An avalanche during a heavy, wet snowstorm in the Sierra Nevada killed at least eight skiers on a guided backcountry excursion.

By: Nathalie Vriend, University of Colorado Boulder, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: February 18, 2026

Words: 1,154

Last Updated: 3 weeks, 2 days ago

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By Nathalie Vriend, University of Colorado Boulder

A deadly avalanche buried a group of backcountry skiers and guides near Lake Tahoe in California’s Sierra Nevada as an intense storm brought heavy, wet snow to the region on Feb. 17, 2026. Six of the skiers were rescued, but eight others didn’t survive and another was missing. The region had been under an avalanche warning that was rated high, according to the Sierra Avalanche Center.

Avalanche …

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