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Lake Tahoe Avalanche Deaths Confirmed as Suffocation for All Nine Skiers
On Feb. 17, 2024 an avalanche struck a 15‑person backcountry skiing group near Castle Peak (also called Perry’s Peak) in the Lake Tahoe region. The party, affiliated with Blackbird Mountain Guides, included six clients and three guides. The slide buried the group under five to six feet of snow, killing nine people.
All nine victims died from suffocation after being trapped, as confirmed by the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office, which has now closed its investigation and sent its findings to county prosecutors. Five members of the party—one guide and four clients—survived. The Sierra Avalanche Center reported that the group violated avalanche protocols despite a dire warning issued earlier that day urging people to stay out of the backcountry.
Rescue crews arrived in the afternoon, recovered eight bodies that day and the ninth two days later, and airlifted all victims to the nearby Frog Lake Huts. The incident prompted renewed scrutiny of backcountry safety practices.
Entities
Blackbird Mountain Guides · Castle Peak · Lake Tahoe · Nevada County Sheriff’s Office · Sierra Avalanche Center
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Nine people (six clients and three guides) died in the avalanche. internewscast.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Avalanche forecasters issued a dire warning urging people to stay out of the backcountry that day. internewscast.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Five members of the party (one guide and four clients) survived. internewscast.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Nevada County Sheriff’s Office completed its investigation and forwarded findings to county prosecutors. internewscast.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The avalanche occurred on Feb. 17, 2024 near Castle Peak (also called Perry’s Peak) in the Lake Tahoe region. internewscast.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] A 15‑person backcountry skiing group affiliated with Blackbird Mountain Guides was involved. internewscast.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] All nine victims died from suffocation after being buried under five to six feet of snow. internewscast.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The group violated avalanche protocols according to a Sierra Avalanche Center report. internewscast.com