A snowmobile trip turned fatal northwest of Lake Tahoe after an avalanche claimed the life of Chris Thomason, 42, of Bend. According to the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office, the incident happened Monday afternoon on the backside of Castle Peak. Thomason was with four others, including two from Bend, when the avalanche struck. The group located Thomason under the snow after about 10 minutes and spent another 15 digging him out before CPR began. Despite their immediate efforts, Thomason did not survive. He was connected to the Thomason Auto Group.