A dedicated ski patroller who devoted his life to mountain safety has died after being caught in an avalanche while performing critical mitigation work at California’s Mammoth Mountain resort.
Story Highlights
- 30-year-old Cole Murphy died from injuries sustained in avalanche during patrol duties
- Second patroller injured in same incident while performing pre-opening safety work
- Resort received over five feet of snow in 72 hours, creating extreme avalanche conditions
- Second ski patrol fatality at Mammoth Mountain this year during mitigation operations
Tragic Loss of Dedicated Professional
Cole Murphy, a 30-year-old ski patroller at Mammoth Mountain, died Sunday evening from injuries sustained during an avalanche on Friday, December 26, 2025. Murphy and a colleague were performing avalanche mitigation work at 7:30 a.m. on Lincoln Mountain when the slide occurred.
His family described his patrol work as “a calling,” emphasizing his wholehearted devotion to mountain safety and protecting others through his chosen profession.
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
Extreme Weather Creates Dangerous Conditions
The avalanche occurred after Mammoth Mountain received more than five feet of snow within 72 hours, accompanied by relentless winds and heavy precipitation across California.
These severe weather conditions forced resort officials to suspend all operations on Friday due to high avalanche danger, with closures extending through Saturday. The extreme snowfall created unstable conditions that required extensive mitigation work before the mountain could safely reopen to the public.
Second Patroller Injured in Same Incident
The second ski patroller involved in Friday’s avalanche sustained serious injuries and was transported to an outside hospital for specialized care. Resort officials reported the injured patroller was being evaluated for possible broken bones.
This incident highlights the inherent dangers faced by ski patrol professionals who risk their safety to ensure mountain conditions are secure for recreational skiers and snowboarders before daily operations begin.
Recurring Safety Challenges at High-Altitude Resort
This marks the second ski patrol fatality at Mammoth Mountain in 2025, following another patroller’s death during avalanche mitigation work in February. Located at California’s highest lift-served elevation of 11,053 feet and nestled on Yosemite National Park’s border, the resort faces unique challenges from its extreme alpine environment.
Lincoln Peak, where the recent tragedy occurred, features a volcanic dome with natural avalanche chutes formed by ancient landslides, creating inherently unstable terrain requiring constant professional monitoring.
