A dedicated ski patroller died serving others while performing dangerous avalanche mitigation work at California’s highest ski resort, highlighting the heroic sacrifices made by those who protect outdoor recreation enthusiasts.
Story Summary
- 30-year-old Cole Murphy died from injuries sustained in avalanche during safety work at Mammoth Mountain
- Second patroller injured with possible broken bones during Friday morning mitigation operations
- Resort received over five feet of snow in 72 hours, creating extreme avalanche conditions
- This marks the second patrol fatality at the resort this year during avalanche control work
Tragic Loss During Safety Operations
Cole Murphy, a 30-year-old ski patroller at Mammoth Mountain, died Sunday evening from injuries sustained during an avalanche while performing mitigation work Friday morning, December 26, 2025.
Murphy and a colleague were conducting pre-opening safety operations on Lincoln Mountain at approximately 7:30 a.m. when the avalanche struck. The second patroller sustained injuries and was being evaluated for possible broken bones, according to resort officials.
BREAKING UPDATE 🚨🚨#MammothMountain #California
Mammoth Mountain Resort has confirmed that 1 of the Ski Patrol members injured in an avalanche on Friday has passed away as a result of injuries sustained. Cole Murphy was 30 years old. Attached is a message from his family. https://t.co/ZzbS3S5Ksr pic.twitter.com/yHH2GH0zKF
— OC Scanner 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 (@OC_Scanner) December 29, 2025
Dangerous Conditions Force Resort Closure
Mammoth Mountain suspended all operations Friday due to extreme avalanche danger following more than five feet of snowfall in just 72 hours. The resort remained closed Saturday as the powerful weather system brought relentless winds, rain, and heavy snow across California.
These conditions created treacherous circumstances that required extensive mitigation work before the mountain could safely reopen to the public, underscoring the critical role patrollers play in mountain safety.
Pattern of Risk at High-Altitude Resort
This incident marks the second ski patrol fatality at Mammoth Mountain this year, with another patroller dying in February during similar avalanche mitigation work.
Located at California’s highest lift-served resort with a summit elevation of 11,053 feet, Mammoth Mountain sits on the border of Yosemite National Park in the eastern Sierra Nevada mountains.
Lincoln Peak, where the accident occurred, features avalanche chutes created by historical landslides, forming challenging terrain that requires constant monitoring.
Community Honors Fallen Hero
Murphy’s family described him as someone who “moved through the world with kindness, intention, and a wholehearted devotion to the life he chose,” sharing that ski patrol “wasn’t just a role for him–it was a calling.”
His death serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by those who dedicate their lives to protecting others in mountain environments. These brave individuals risk their safety daily to ensure recreational areas remain accessible while maintaining the highest safety standards for families and outdoor enthusiasts.
