A backcountry ski trip meant to celebrate friendship and the outdoors has ended in tragedy, leaving communities across Northern California grieving the loss of several mothers, friends, and longtime outdoor enthusiasts.
Kate Vitt, a radio industry executive and mother of two, has been identified as one of the victims killed in an avalanche near Lake Tahoe earlier this week. The disaster unfolded Tuesday morning in a remote mountain area known for its challenging terrain and breathtaking views.
As recovery efforts continue, families, schools, and local leaders are grappling with a loss that feels deeply personal — not just because of who was lost, but because of how closely connected the victims were.
The Avalanche in Tahoe National Forest
Authorities say the avalanche struck around 11:30 a.m. Tuesday in the Castle Peak area of Tahoe National Forest, located in Nevada County.
A group of 15 backcountry skiers — 11 clients accompanied by four professional guides from Blackbird Mountain Guides — had been nearing the end of a three-day guided skiing trip when the snow gave way.
Eight people have been confirmed dead. Search teams are still attempting to recover a ninth skier who is presumed deceased. Officials say harsh weather conditions have slowed recovery operations and delayed formal identification of all victims.
Remembering Kate Vitt
Vitt lived in Marin County with her husband, Geoff, and their two children. She built a career in digital audio and media, most recently serving as a vice president at SiriusXM until 2025, after previously working at Pandora.
A message shared with families in the local school district confirmed that one of the victims was the mother of two elementary school students and described the family as a cherished part of the community. Counselors and support services were made available as classmates and parents processed the news.
Friends and relatives described the group involved in the trip as skilled skiers who bonded through years of shared outdoor adventures.
A Circle of Friends Lost Together
Several of the victims were mothers from Marin County who had grown close through skiing and family life. Some were connected through youth programs near Sugar Bowl Resort, though officials emphasized the trip itself was privately organized.
Family members identified two of the victims as sisters Caroline Sekar and Liz Clabaugh. Another victim was married to a member of a local search-and-rescue team who responded to the emergency — a detail that underscored how interconnected the mountain community is.
Local officials in Mill Valley and surrounding towns described widespread shock, noting that many residents knew the victims personally or through their children’s schools and activities.
Sugar Bowl Academy released a statement pledging long-term support for affected students, families, and staff as the community navigates the aftermath.
The Risks of Backcountry Adventure
Backcountry skiing has grown increasingly popular in recent years, offering experienced skiers a quieter alternative to crowded resorts and a deeper connection to nature.
But the terrain also carries inherent risks. Avalanches can occur even among skilled groups equipped with guides and safety training, particularly when weather conditions shift rapidly in mountainous regions.
Investigators have not publicly detailed what triggered the slide, and officials caution against speculation while recovery operations continue.
Why This Loss Feels So Personal
In communities like Marin County, where school events, youth sports, and outdoor recreation often overlap, social circles tend to intertwine. The victims were not strangers to one another — or to many of the people now mourning them.
Their deaths have resonated beyond the skiing world, touching parents dropping children at school, colleagues logging into work meetings, and neighbors who shared everyday routines with them.
The tragedy is a reminder of how moments of joy and risk often exist side by side in outdoor pursuits — and how quickly ordinary lives can change.
A Quiet Mountain, A Lasting Absence
As search crews continue their work in the mountains above Lake Tahoe, tributes have begun appearing across Northern California — in classrooms, workplaces, and online spaces where memories are being shared gently and often.
For many families, the mountains were a place of connection and renewal. Now, they also hold memories shaped by loss — and by the enduring bonds of friendship that brought this group together in the first place.
