When we speak of the largest avalanche in history, the metric most often cited is the number of lives lost. This article lists the deadliest avalanches recorded worldwide, with the 1970 Huascarán disaster in Peru as the benchmark.
On May 31, 1970, the 7.8‑meter earthquake that shook the Andes triggered a massive glacier‑crevasse collapse on Mount Huascarán. A wall of ice, rock and snow slammed into the valley, burying the town of Yungay and surrounding villages. Between 15,000 and 25,000 people were killed, making it the deadliest avalanche on record.
During World I, artillery bombardments and heavy snowfall created a series of lethal snow slides in the Dolomites. On December 13, 1916, thousands of Italian soldiers were swept from their positions in what became one of the deadliest mountaineering disasters linked to combat. Official counts place the death toll above 2,000.
Bad weather trapped two Great Northern passenger trains on a narrow stretch of track near a gorge. An avalanche behind the town caused the trains to plunge into the ravine, killing 96 people. This remains the deadliest avalanche in U.S. history.
During the Klondike Gold Rush, snow slides on the Chilkoot Trail decimated prospectors. More than 60 men were buried when the trail’s steep slopes gave way to a sudden avalanche, claiming the lives of many early settlers.
A series of snow slides struck the village of Blons in the Alps. Within hours, homes were destroyed and 57 residents lost their lives. It remains one of the most lethal alpine disasters of the 20th century.
On April 30, 1999, a massive wall of snow rushed into the mountain village of Galtür at speeds exceeding 200 km/h. Rescue teams found 31 bodies, and the incident prompted a complete overhaul of avalanche safety protocols in Europe.
Heavy snowfall and seismic tremors culminated in an avalanche that buried the Rigopiano ski‑chalet hotel. Twenty‑nine people perished, marking the most deadly Italian avalanche in recent decades.
Ten climbers and a guide were lost near the Ingraham Glacier on Mount Rainier. Several survivors were rescued, but a few remained missing, making it one of the most devastating mountaineering incidents in recent U.S. history.
In February 2026, a backcountry avalanche near Lake Tahoe buried eight skiers. Search crews uncovered multiple victims under deep snow, making it one of California’s deadliest recent avalanches.
On March 31, 1982, a snow slide hit the Alpine Meadows ski resort near Lake Tahoe. The avalanche buried resort buildings, killing seven people—including four staff members—making it one of the deadliest U.S. ski‑resort avalanches.
These events underscore the formidable power of natural forces and the importance of avalanche awareness, preparedness, and modern safety technology.
