A dedicated ski patroller who viewed mountain safety as his life’s calling has tragically died after being caught in an avalanche while performing the dangerous work that keeps recreational skiers safe at California’s premier mountain resort.
Story Summary
- Cole Murphy, 30-year-old ski patroller, died from injuries sustained in Lincoln Mountain avalanche during mitigation work
- Second patroller injured with possible broken bones during Friday morning safety operations at Mammoth Mountain
- Resort closed operations due to extreme avalanche danger after receiving over five feet of snow in 72 hours
- Second fatal avalanche involving Mammoth Mountain ski patrol this year, highlighting ongoing safety risks
Tragic Loss During Essential Safety Operations
Cole Murphy, a 30-year-old ski patroller at Mammoth Mountain, died Sunday evening from injuries sustained during an avalanche on Lincoln Mountain while conducting critical safety mitigation work Friday morning.
Murphy and a fellow patroller were performing avalanche control operations at approximately 7:30 a.m., before the resort opened to the public, when the avalanche struck. The second patroller sustained injuries including possible broken bones and was transported to an outside hospital for treatment.
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 ski operations Friday and remained closed Saturday due to extreme avalanche danger following a massive storm system. The mountain received more than five feet of snow within 72 hours, accompanied by relentless winds that created hazardous conditions throughout the resort.
The same weather system brought heavy snow, rain, and damaging winds across other parts of California, demonstrating the widespread impact of the severe winter storm.
Pattern of Risk at High-Elevation Resort
This incident marks the second fatal avalanche involving Mammoth Mountain ski patrol personnel in 2025, with another patroller dying in February during similar mitigation work.
Mammoth Mountain operates as California’s highest lift-served resort, reaching 11,053 feet at its summit and positioned along the eastern Sierra Nevada mountains near Yosemite National Park’s border. Lincoln Peak, where Friday’s avalanche occurred, features a volcanic dome structure with avalanche chutes created by ancient landslide activity.
Dedication to Mountain Safety Legacy
Murphy’s family described his profound commitment to ski patrol work, stating he “moved through the world with kindness, intention, and a wholehearted devotion to the life he chose.”
They emphasized that serving on ski patrol represented more than employment for Murphy—it constituted a personal calling to protect others enjoying mountain recreation.
His death underscores the inherent dangers faced by professionals who conduct avalanche mitigation work, risking their lives to ensure public safety on treacherous mountain terrain during extreme weather conditions.
