> At a Glance
> – Chris Scott Thomason, 42, of Bend, Ore., died after being buried in an avalanche near Castle Peak, Calif., on Jan. 5
> – Five experienced riders had avalanche beacons; one was CPR-certified and dug Thomason out within minutes
> – An off-duty Truckee Fire medic joined rescue efforts, but Thomason could not be revived
> – Why it matters: The tragedy marks the third U.S. avalanche fatality of the 2025-2026 season, highlighting continued backcountry risks despite safety gear
A fun day of back-country snowmobiling turned fatal when an avalanche swept down the backside of Castle Peak in Truckee, California, burying Chris Scott Thomason, 42, under heavy snow on Monday afternoon.
The Nevada County Sheriff’s Office said the group of five friends-each equipped with avalanche transceivers and years of experience-was returning from Castle Peak when they triggered the slide around 2:19 p.m. Despite rapid location and excavation efforts, Thomason did not survive.
What Happened on the Mountain
Dispatchers received a 911 call from the Johnson Peak area shortly after the avalanche released. According to the sheriff’s update issued Tuesday, the riders had started their ride at Johnson Peak and successfully reached Castle Peak before the accident occurred on the descent.
Key details released by authorities:
- The group immediately switched their beacons to search mode and homed in on Thomason’s signal
- They began digging within minutes and started CPR once they uncovered him
- A second trio of riders stumbled on the scene; one was an off-duty Trucacuse Fire medic who took over resuscitation efforts
- Roughly 50 rescuers eventually responded, including ski patrol and sheriff personnel
A Season of Deadly Slides
Monday’s incident is the third avalanche-related death recorded nationwide so far this winter, according to the National Avalanche Center. Last season, the U.S. saw 17 fatalities, the lowest tally in more than a decade, yet California and the Northern Rockies have already experienced multiple close calls in early January.
| Season | U.S. Avalanche Deaths | CA Incidents |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | 17 | 2 |
| 2025-26 | 3 (as of Jan. 6) | 1 |
Authorities praised the four riding companions and three bystanders for “working together against all odds,” emphasizing that every second counts in a burial but that even the best-prepared groups can face heartbreak when terrain and conditions align.
Key Takeaways
- Beacons save time, not always lives: Thomason’s group located him quickly, yet survival still proved impossible
- Training matters: CPR-certified companions and a professional firefighter were on scene within minutes
- Early-season danger: Three deaths before mid-January underscore volatile snowpack conditions across the West
The sheriff’s office has not released additional details on snow stability or the avalanche size, but confirmed that all other riders in the vicinity were accounted for and safely escorted off the mountain.
