NEVADA COUNTY — The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health issued $151,300 in fines against Blackbird Mountain Guides following an avalanche that killed nine people near Castle Peak in February 2026. The regulatory action cites failures in hazard assessment, employee training, and fatality reporting related to the incident.

Cal/OSHA cited the company for seven alleged violations stemming from the event. The largest fine of $81,000 was for failing to correct the imminent hazard posed by traveling in avalanche terrain when the avalanche danger was rated high.

Blackbird Mountain Guides filed a formal appeal of the fines. "The citations do not reflect the reality of our profession or the safety program we have built," the company said in a statement.

The company emphasized the unpredictable nature of backcountry operations. "Mountain guiding takes place in dynamic wilderness environments where conditions change minute to minute — it’s not a controlled setting such as construction sites," the company said. The organization added that it seeks to clarify operational constraints with regulators. "We welcome the opportunity to work with Cal/OSHA to contextualize the unique realities of operating in backcountry environments," the company said.

Zeb Blais is the owner of Blackbird Mountain Guides. He defended the actions of the staff involved in the trip. "Guides pursue knowledge and excellence as a lifelong responsibility and the guides on this trip approached their work with care and professionalism," Blais said.

The victims included Andrew Alissandratos, 34, from Verdi, Nevada. Michael Henry, 30, from Tampa Bay, Florida, also died in the avalanche. Nicole "Niki" Choo, 42, from South Lake Tahoe, died in the avalanche. Liz Clabaugh, 52, from Boise, Idaho, died in the avalanche.

Danielle Keatley, 44, from Marin County, died in the avalanche. Caroline Sekar, 45, from San Francisco, died in the avalanche. Kate Vitt, 43, from Marin County, died in the avalanche.

Why It Matters

The avalanche was the deadliest in the United States since a deadly avalanche at Mount Rainier. The scale of the tragedy has prompted multiple concurrent inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the deaths and the adequacy of safety protocols.

Cal/OSHA's Bureau of Investigations is conducting a separate investigation into the deaths. The Nevada County Sheriff's Department forwarded the results of its criminal investigation to the district attorney's office for review. Ashley Quadros is a spokesperson for the Nevada County Sheriff's Office.

Timeline

On February 15, 2026, the skiers were staying at remote huts located at 7,600 feet in Tahoe National Forest near Frog Lake. Two days later, an avalanche killed nine people near Castle Peak on February 17, 2026. The nine deceased were part of a group of 15 backcountry skiers organized by Blackbird Mountain Guides. Three of the deceased were guides employed by Blackbird Mountain Guides.

What's New

Later reporting detailed specific financial penalties imposed by regulators. Cal/OSHA fined Blackbird Mountain Guides $16,200 for failing to adequately identify and assess avalanche hazards. The agency also fined Blackbird Mountain Guides $16,200 for failing to provide effective employee training. Additional fines included $16,200 for failing to assess the need for protective equipment and $16,200 for failing to establish and maintain an effective Injury and Illness Prevention Program.

Further citations addressed administrative and health plan issues. Cal/OSHA fined Blackbird Mountain Guides $500 for deficiencies in the employer’s Heat Illness Prevention Plan. The agency also fined Blackbird Mountain Guides $5,000 for failing to report the three employee fatalities within the required timeframe. The reports also confirmed that Nicole "Niki" Choo, 42, from South Lake Tahoe, died in the avalanche, and Danielle Keatley, 44, from Marin County, died in the avalanche.

How Sources Differ

Accounts differ regarding the factors leading the group into hazardous areas. The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health citation states Cal/OSHA fined Blackbird Mountain Guides $16,200 for failing to adequately identify and assess avalanche hazards. In contrast, an independent investigation report commissioned by Blackbird Mountain Guides notes that an actively running creek created an impassable barrier that led the group into known avalanche terrain.

Reports also vary in their focus on the employee fatalities. The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health citation notes Cal/OSHA fined Blackbird Mountain Guides $5,000 for failing to report the three employee fatalities within the required timeframe. The Nevada County Sheriff's Department incident report states three of the deceased were guides employed by Blackbird Mountain Guides.

Descriptions of the group composition and movement also show variation. The Nevada County Sheriff's Department incident report states the nine deceased were part of a group of 15 backcountry skiers organized by Blackbird Mountain Guides. The independent investigation report commissioned by Blackbird Mountain Guides notes that an actively running creek created an impassable barrier that led the group into known avalanche terrain.