Sugar Bowl ski community reeling after avalanche victims identified as mothers of youth racers

Authorities have not yet publicly identified those who died.

Parents connected to the Sugar Bowl race program were reluctant to speak publicly about the tragedy, citing the families’ privacy and limited details about the circumstances of the slide. But the loss reverberated quickly among those whose children train on the same slopes.

“The only comment that I can possibly make is that it’s an absolute tragedy,” said Kurt Althof, whose son skis in the Sugar Bowl race program but who said he does not have firsthand information about the victims. “My heart, my family’s heart, goes out to all of those that have been impacted by this.”

Sugar Bowl Resort, located near Donner Summit west of Lake Tahoe, is one of the region’s historic ski areas. It operates a competitive ski academy that trains youth athletes throughout the winter season, with programs ranging from weekend instruction to full-time enrollment for racers preparing for regional and national competition. Families often spend much of the winter at the resort for training, races and team events.

A number of young athletes in the weekend race program travel from the Bay Area to train at the mountain during the winter, making the academy a regular destination for Northern California families.

Families often spend much of the season at the resort for training, races and team events.

Just days before the avalanche, the academy hosted its annual winter soiree, describing a “full house, excellent food, and great entertainment” in an online newsletter.

On Monday, as a powerful winter storm moved into the Sierra, academy director Stephen McMahan urged families to use caution when driving to the resort.

“We understand you may be delayed in arriving and we are ready to accommodate accordingly,” he wrote. “Stay patient. It is better to get here safely than to rush it. It is going to be an epic week!”

By Tuesday, that storm had unleashed whiteout conditions across parts of the Sierra Nevada. The avalanche struck in the backcountry near Castle Peak, an area popular with experienced skiers and snowboarders. Authorities have confirmed at least eight fatalities and continue to investigate the circumstances of the slide.

There has been no public indication that the avalanche occurred during an organized academy activity.