{"id":2105573,"date":"2026-08-21T21:25:42","date_gmt":"2026-08-21T18:25:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2105573"},"modified":"2026-08-21T21:25:42","modified_gmt":"2026-08-21T18:25:42","slug":"cal-osha-fines-blackbird-mountain-guides-151300-after-deadliest-avalanche-in-california-history","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2105573","title":{"rendered":"Cal\/OSHA Fines Blackbird Mountain Guides $151,300 After Deadliest Avalanche in California History"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\"castle\"castle
Castle Peak, CA \u2014 the rough area of the fatal February 17 avalanche that killed nine. | Photo: Unsplash<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n<\/p>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

California workplace regulators have fined Blackbird Mountain Guides $151,300 following the February avalanche near Castle Peak that killed nine people, making it the deadliest ski or snowboard-related avalanche incident in U.S. history<\/strong> (Note: the 1910 Stevens Pass disaster killed 96 people on 2 trains but it was not related to snow sports).<\/strong> The fines were issued by the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal\/OSHA), according to the California Department of Industrial Relations<\/a>. Three Blackbird Mountain Guides employees and six clients were killed when an avalanche struck a group of 15 backcountry skiers near the Frog Lake Huts on February 17, 2026.<\/p>\n

Cal\/OSHA is accusing Blackbird Mountain Guides of a \u201cwillful\u201d safety violation, which is the state agency\u2019s\u00a0most serious classification short of criminal referral.<\/strong> It means the agency believes the employer knew about the hazard and proceeded anyway. The willful citation carries a proposed penalty of $81,000 and is tied directly to the deaths of the 3 guides. This citation was issued for failing to correct an imminent hazard posed by traveling in avalanche terrain while the avalanche danger was rated high, as reported by capradio<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n