health
February 19, 2026
California avalanche near Lake Tahoe is among the deadliest in U.S. history. What to know about others on the list.
Updated on: February 18, 2026 / 9:08 PM PST / CBS Sacramento
TL;DR
- The deadliest U.S. avalanche happened March 1, 1910, near Wellington, Washington, killing 96 people after burying two trains.
- Avalanches during the Klondike Gold Rush in April 1898 on the Chilkoot Pass resulted in a death toll ranging from 48 to 70, though an exact number is unknown.
- An ice avalanche on Mt. Rainier on June 21, 1981, killed 11 people, including guides and clients.
- On February 17, 2026, an avalanche near California's Castle Peak killed nine backcountry skiers.
- Other notable avalanches include one at California's Alpine Meadows on March 31, 1982, killing seven, and one in Twin Lakes, Colorado, on January 21, 1962, also killing seven, including five children.
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