Nine people died in the Castle Peak avalanche on February 17, 2026, during one of the biggest storms in the last 50yrs. This is a internationally certified guide's breakdown of what happened, why it happened, and what you can do to prevent further deaths. We cover the snowpack, the terrain, the four route options, the human factor traps, and why the backcountry community, guides & the public, need stop-and-go guardrails like other high risk industries where lives are on the line.
Two skiers at Palisades Tahoe, California, spotted the tips of skis protruding from deep snow on February 18 between KT-22 and Olympic Lady. They stopped and dug out a skier found upside down and buried in the deep powder, saving his life. The intense video of the rescue was shared on Threads to stress the need for skiing with a buddy.
Avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE (Level 3 of 5) across Colorado's Northern and Central mountains, and is expected to remain elevated through the weekend. In many areas, backcountry travelers can easily trigger avalanches in new storm snow, and some avalanches may break into deeper buried weak layers. An additional round of snow Friday night will increase avalanche danger in the Southern Mountains as the holiday weekend continues.
The journey to Silvertip Lodge begins with a charter flight from Vancouver, British Columbia, to Williams Lake Airport, followed by a 45-minute helicopter ride to the property. Situated on the shores of Quesnel Lake in the Cariboo Mountains, the lodge is accessible only by helicopter during winter operations. This level of isolation places it among the most remote destinations I have experienced, ensuring that the immersion in wilderness begins the moment you arrive.
When winter takes hold in the Eastern Sierra, the Bridgeport Winter Recreation Area (BWRA) becomes a popular destination for backcountry enthusiasts. Powderhounds flock to this area during the cold winter months, usually with snowmobiles. Shortly after you turn onto Highway 108 (Sonora Pass), the snow starts, and the journey begins. Located seven miles up the snow-covered highway, the BWRA is the gateway to remote and technical terrain in the heart of the Sierra.
One of the most important foundations of backcountry travel is having the right gear. Heading out unprepared is not an option. Essential equipment includes an avalanche beacon, shovel, probe, and basic repair tools. Gear failures happen more often than people expect. I've personally had days where something broke deep in the backcountry, and I had to improvise to make it back down safely.
At its core, the Freeride Academy is about learning - just not in a classroom sense. Instead, it brings world-class athletes, certified mountain guides and a bunch of properly motivated snowboarders together for four days of hands-on clinics, shared laps and off-mountain sessions, all built around real terrain, real conditions and real decisions. The Academy's programme covers snowboarding, splitboarding, avalanche safety and photography, with options for all experience levels.
Turnagain is a special place for me. One of my first backcountry experiences happened thereback when I had snowshoes, cotton sweaters, and too much excitement. Fast forward fourteen years, and I still can't get enough of how magical this area is. Countless memories and long adventures with incredible people will forever be in my heart. When I decided to make a film that could even begin to capture that magic, I didn't expect it to take two years.
