NEWS

Multiple victims had deep ties to Sugar Bowl Resort and its elite ski academy — a tight-knit community that has produced Olympians and generations of Tahoe athletes. Friends. Mothers. Longtime ski partners who made this trip every year. They were experienced. It was guided. So how did everything unravel so fast? As rescue crews battle relentless storms and families wait for answers, the tragedy is sending shockwaves from Mill Valley to Stanford to the heart of the Sierra. And the hardest questions are only just beginning.

phuquy Avatar

Posted by

phuquy

-

3 women identified as Tahoe avalanche victims, including Stanford alums

FILE: A crosscountry skier walks past a giant trail map of the Royal Gorge Cross Country Ski Resort, which is managed by Sugar Bowl Resort, on Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2013.

FILE: A crosscountry skier walks past a giant trail map of the Royal Gorge Cross Country Ski Resort, which is managed by Sugar Bowl Resort, on Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2013.

Michael Macor/The San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images

The identities of those killed in this week’s deadly Tahoe avalanche started to emerge Thursday, with multiple sources reporting on at least three women who died in the tragic accident. Officials have declined to share names, as the bodies have yet to be recovered from the mountain while rescuers deal with ongoing blizzard conditions.

The victims include a woman whose children attend a Marin County elementary school, according to an email seen by SFGATE, and two sisters who attended Stanford, according to the New York Times. One sister lived in San Francisco, while the other lived in Idaho; both women were mothers, according to the Times. The paper also reported that the 11-person trip was a group of longtime friends who regularly went on ski trips together.

The Kentfield School District in Marin County sent an email this week obtained by SFGATE that said a mother of two young students was killed in the avalanche. The email, which named the mother and children, said the family “is a cherished part of our community” and said the two boys are with their father as they “navigate this profound loss.”

Sugar Bowl Resort confirmed Wednesday night that multiple victims had connections to the ski resort as well as its elite ski academy, guaranteeing the tragedy will send shock waves through the tight-knit Tahoe area.

“With the heaviest of hearts, we can confirm the loss of multiple lives from within the Sugar Bowl community,” said Rachel Soeharto, a spokesperson for Sugar Bowl Resort, in an emailed statement. “Several members of the Sugar Bowl Academy community and others with strong connections to Sugar Bowl, Donner Summit, and the backcountry community died in an avalanche at Castle Peak on Tuesday, February 17, 2026.”

An avalanche the size of a football field struck a party of 15 skiers at approximately 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday in a backcountry area near Donner Pass as the region faced heavy snow and winds. Six skiers survived the slide and were evacuated by search and rescue teams Tuesday night. Eight bodies have been found and a ninth person is still missing but presumed dead, according to the Nevada County Sheriff’s Department. The eight confirmed deaths make this the deadliest in California since modern record keeping began, officials confirmed to SFGATE.

This image provided by the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office shows members of a rescue team in Soda Springs, California on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026.

This image provided by the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office shows members of a rescue team in Soda Springs, California on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026.

Nevada County Sheriff/AP

Sugar Bowl is one of Tahoe’s snowiest resorts and one of the closest to the Bay Area, with its location near the crest of the Sierra Nevada on Donner Pass. The resort is one of the few remaining ski areas in the region that is still independently owned. Sugar Bowl Academy is an elite private school located near the ski resort that includes both academic education for grades 6 through 12 and ski coaching. The academy has produced many Olympic athletes.

Tuesday’s avalanche is the deadliest in modern California history. The victims were part of a guided trip led by Blackbird Mountain Guides, according to a statement from the company. Several people on the trip were mothers from Mill Valley, according to an interview Max Perrey, the town’s mayor, gave the New York Times. He called the avalanche “a huge tragedy and a huge loss.”

The group included nine women and six men, according to the Nevada County Sheriff Shannan Moon. Four men and two women survived the avalanche and were rescued from the mountain, according to law enforcement.

A road is cleared during a snowstorm on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, near Soda Springs, Calif. 

A road is cleared during a snowstorm on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, near Soda Springs, Calif.

Brooke Hess-Homeier/AP

Soeharto said Wednesday night that the resort is not sharing personal details about the victims “out of respect for the families affected” because emergency crews are still working to recover the bodies. She said the school and resort are dedicated to standing by the students and families who have lost family members in this week’s tragedy.

“Sugar Bowl Academy is focused on supporting its athletes, students, staff, and families through this tragedy. Most importantly, the Sugar Bowl Academy community will continue to be there in the months and years ahead for the families that have lost loved ones,” Soeharto said.

SFGATE breaking news editor Gillian Mohney contributed to this report.

This breaking news story has been updated.

In Hainesport Township, families are waking up to dead geese and ducks scattered across sidewalks, porches, and even school bus stops amid a suspected bird flu outbreak spreading through South Jersey. One mother says her son watched a goose “fall right out of the sky” into their backyard — a moment she calls traumatizing. State officials report more than 1,100 sick or dead birds statewide in just days, and parks in Gloucester County have already shut down. But in Hainesport, neighbors say they’ve been told disposal is their responsibility — armed with gloves, masks, and trash bags. One resident claims he bagged 18 dead geese in a single day… with dozens more still in his yard.
In Hainesport Township, families are waking up to dead geese and ducks scattered across sidewalks, porches, and even school bus stops amid a suspected bird flu outbreak spreading through South Jersey. One mother says her son watched a goose “fall right out of the sky” into their backyard — a moment she calls traumatizing. State officials report more than 1,100 sick or dead birds statewide in just days, and parks in Gloucester County have already shut down. But in Hainesport, neighbors say they’ve been told disposal is their responsibility — armed with gloves, masks, and trash bags. One resident claims he bagged 18 dead geese in a single day… with dozens more still in his yard.

Traumatized Hainesport Twp. residents forced to dispose dead birds amid suspected outbreak An error has occurred. Please contact…

After analyzing nearly 500 feline tumors across multiple countries, researchers found the same cancer-linked mutations seen in human blood, lung, bone, skin and even breast cancers. One mutation — FBXW7 — appears far more often in cats than in people, but when it shows up in humans, outcomes are worse. Here’s the twist: common chemotherapy drugs like vincristine may slow those tumors in cats — potentially offering a faster, real-world testing ground for treatments that could later help human patients.
After analyzing nearly 500 feline tumors across multiple countries, researchers found the same cancer-linked mutations seen in human blood, lung, bone, skin and even breast cancers. One mutation — FBXW7 — appears far more often in cats than in people, but when it shows up in humans, outcomes are worse. Here’s the twist: common chemotherapy drugs like vincristine may slow those tumors in cats — potentially offering a faster, real-world testing ground for treatments that could later help human patients.

Cats give genetic clues to better cancer treatments Similarities between pet and human tumours suggest new ideas for…

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor — brother of Charles III and once one of the most privileged men in Britain — was arrested this week in a stunning twist tied to the fallout from the Jeffrey Epstein files. For the first time in nearly 400 years, a British royal has been taken in for questioning. The message from the Palace? “The law must take its course.” No titles. No deference. Just “a man in his sixties from Norfolk” released under investigation. Across the Atlantic, though, the picture looks very different. While authorities in the UK move forward, critics say accountability in the U.S. still feels out of reach — even after document dumps, public pressure, and years of unanswered questions surrounding Epstein’s powerful circle.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor — brother of Charles III and once one of the most privileged men in Britain — was arrested this week in a stunning twist tied to the fallout from the Jeffrey Epstein files. For the first time in nearly 400 years, a British royal has been taken in for questioning. The message from the Palace? “The law must take its course.” No titles. No deference. Just “a man in his sixties from Norfolk” released under investigation. Across the Atlantic, though, the picture looks very different. While authorities in the UK move forward, critics say accountability in the U.S. still feels out of reach — even after document dumps, public pressure, and years of unanswered questions surrounding Epstein’s powerful circle.

A former prince is arrested in the UK with accountability in question in the US Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, pictured…

Chaos erupted in the stands — and then something extraordinary happened. Inside the Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, gunfire shattered a youth hockey game as Robert Dorgan opened fire on his own family. But as panic spread and fans scrambled for cover, a handful of bystanders did the unthinkable — they ran toward the shooter. Michael Black thought the shots were popping balloons… until he saw the gun. He told his wife to run — then lunged, jamming his hand into the weapon to stop it from firing. Others piled on. A chokehold. A desperate struggle. Blood on the bleachers. Seconds that felt like forever. Police say those “courageous citizens” likely prevented even more deaths. Now Black is being called a hero — but he says he doesn’t feel like one. What drove ordinary spectators to risk everything in that split second… and how much worse could this have been if they hadn’t?
Chaos erupted in the stands — and then something extraordinary happened. Inside the Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, gunfire shattered a youth hockey game as Robert Dorgan opened fire on his own family. But as panic spread and fans scrambled for cover, a handful of bystanders did the unthinkable — they ran toward the shooter. Michael Black thought the shots were popping balloons… until he saw the gun. He told his wife to run — then lunged, jamming his hand into the weapon to stop it from firing. Others piled on. A chokehold. A desperate struggle. Blood on the bleachers. Seconds that felt like forever. Police say those “courageous citizens” likely prevented even more deaths. Now Black is being called a hero — but he says he doesn’t feel like one. What drove ordinary spectators to risk everything in that split second… and how much worse could this have been if they hadn’t?

When Rhode Island shooter started firing, bystanders jumped into action to end the carnage Moments after Robert Dorgan…

BI00d on the ice. 💔 At the Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, what should have been a routine high school hockey night turned into a nightmare. Authorities say 56-year-old Robert Dorgan opened fire, killing his ex-wife Rhonda Dorgan and their son Aidan before taking his own life — leaving three others critically injured. But this wasn’t random. His daughter, Amanda Wallace-Hubbard, says it was a calculated “vendetta” against their own family. She was in the stands with her young sons when the shots rang out — and says a split-second act of heroism saved their lives. A long trail of family conflict, court battles, and bitter disputes now raises chilling questions about what led to this explosion of violence.
BI00d on the ice. 💔 At the Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, what should have been a routine high school hockey night turned into a nightmare. Authorities say 56-year-old Robert Dorgan opened fire, killing his ex-wife Rhonda Dorgan and their son Aidan before taking his own life — leaving three others critically injured. But this wasn’t random. His daughter, Amanda Wallace-Hubbard, says it was a calculated “vendetta” against their own family. She was in the stands with her young sons when the shots rang out — and says a split-second act of heroism saved their lives. A long trail of family conflict, court battles, and bitter disputes now raises chilling questions about what led to this explosion of violence.

Rhode Island ice rink shooting victims confirmed as shooter’s daughter alleges ‘vendetta’ against family Robert Dorgan’s daughter says…

In Minnesota alone, more than 100 refugees were reportedly arrested in recent weeks before a federal judge stepped in to halt detentions and order releases. A broader court fight is looming — one that could reshape how refugees are treated nationwide. With refugee admissions already slashed and new reviews underway, thousands could be affected. They came to the U.S. legally, fleeing persecution. Now many are asking: after surviving everything else… are they about to face detention here?
In Minnesota alone, more than 100 refugees were reportedly arrested in recent weeks before a federal judge stepped in to halt detentions and order releases. A broader court fight is looming — one that could reshape how refugees are treated nationwide. With refugee admissions already slashed and new reviews underway, thousands could be affected. They came to the U.S. legally, fleeing persecution. Now many are asking: after surviving everything else… are they about to face detention here?

Refugees Without Green Cards Subject to Arrest Under New Policy Image A federal immigration agent in Minneapolis last…

Colbert says network lawyers pressured him not to air it. CBS says that’s not true. Meanwhile, the political backdrop is anything but quiet — from corporate mergers to renewed “equal time” scrutiny from the FCC. And here’s the twist: Talarico’s campaign reportedly raised $2.5 million in the fallout. A segment that never aired on television just became one of the most-watched political interviews online. So what was said that sparked 85 million views — and a network standoff?
Colbert says network lawyers pressured him not to air it. CBS says that’s not true. Meanwhile, the political backdrop is anything but quiet — from corporate mergers to renewed “equal time” scrutiny from the FCC. And here’s the twist: Talarico’s campaign reportedly raised $2.5 million in the fallout. A segment that never aired on television just became one of the most-watched political interviews online. So what was said that sparked 85 million views — and a network standoff?

After Colbert-CBS Rift, Interview With Texas Senate Candidate James Talarico Draws 85M Views Across YouTube & Social  …