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Blackbird Mountain Guides faces $151,300 in fines after California's deadliest avalanche killed nine people

California workplace safety regulators have fined Blackbird Mountain Guides $151,300 following a catastrophic avalanche in Nevada County that resulted in the state's deadliest recorded avalanche. The incident occurred on February 17, when a group of 15 backcountry skiers was traveling near the Frog Lake Huts in the Tahoe National Forest. The slide killed six clients and three guides, leaving nine people dead from asphyxia. The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) issued the citations on August 12, citing the company for seven alleged violations. The largest penalty, an $81,000 fine, was for failing to correct an imminent hazard while traveling in high-danger avalanche terrain. Other violations included failing to provide effective training and failing to report the deaths in a timely manner. Blackbird Mountain Guides has filed a formal appeal, stating that the company operated in full compliance with industry standards. The company noted that mountain guiding is a dynamic wilderness environment rather than a controlled setting like a construction site.

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