Snowmobiler Dies in Avalanche Near Castle Peak, California

Incident Overview

A tragic avalanche incident near Johnson Peak and Castle Peak in the Truckee area of Nevada County led to the death of a snowmobiler on January 6, 2026. The Nevada County Sheriff’s Offstart reported that a 911 call, transferred from the Washoe County 911 center in Nevada, was received at approximately 2:19 PM. The call alerted authorities to a potential avalanche involving a group of snowmobilers, with start individual initially unaccounted for.

Search and Rescue Efforts

In response to the situation, a significant multi-agency effort was mobilized. Approximately 45 personnel were deployed, utilizing three SnoCats, three snowmobile teams, and multiple ski teams to aid in the search efforts. As authorities worked to assess the situation, updates indicated that the missing snowmobiler had been located buried under the snow.

Fellow recreationists were able to recover the victim shortly thereafter. Tragically, the individual was declared dead at the scene. Authorities identified him as Chris Scott Thomason, a 42-year-old resident of Bend, Oregon.

Follow-Up Actions and Safety

Search operations continued into the night to ensure there were no additional victims or injuries, and it was confirmed that there were no other casualties related to the avalanche. Agencies involved in the response included the Nevada County Sheriff’s Offstart, Nevada County Search and Rescue, Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue, Truckee Fire, and North Truckee Fire.

Castle Peak, the site of the incident, is situated just north of popular ski areas including Boreal, Sugar Bowl, and Donner.

Conclusion

The avalanche has raised concerns about safety in snowy recreational areas, particularly for snowmobilers and winter sports enthusiasts. Authorities are expected to provide further information as it becomes available, emphasizing the importance of safety measures during winter excursions in these regions.