Industry News
An inbounds avalanche closed Mammoth Mountain, CA today at 10:15am.
The avalanche was triggered by an explosive administered by ski patrol in an area that was closed at the time but the avalanche traveled into an open area and buried two guests and one Mammoth employee.
All three people buried were able to free themselves from the avalanche uninjured.
A manual probe search is on-going at Mammoth right now.
Mammoth is not aware of any missing persons, but they are combing the avalanche to be sure no one else is buried.
“I skied down to see what was going on and at that point, you could see a bunch of broken trees and all the fencing had been taken out. You could see snowmobiles flipped and buried.” – Lucas Dunn, the social media manager at Footloose Sports, a sporting goods store in Mammoth Lakes told the LA Times today
Mammoth closed for the day following the inbounds avalanche.
Mammoth has seen 46-74″ of storm snow since Wednesday.
Avalanche Danger in the Mammoth area is rated as HIGH above and at treeline today.
An inbounds avalanche closed Squaw Valley, CA yesterday, buried one guest, and involved up to 20 guests yesterday.
A person was found dead at Squaw Valley, CA yesterday likely due to having fallen into a tree well.
Two people were found dead at Mt. Bachelor, OR yesterday due to having fallen into tree wells.
Mammoth Mountain Press Release:
Updated statement regarding 3.3 incident.
MAMMOTH MOUNTAIN, CA — At approximately 10:15AM on March 3, 2018, Mammoth Mountain Ski Patrol was performing avalanche hazard mitigation work when an avalanche released on the upper part of the mountain traveling towards the High Five Express [Chair 5] area. The area where avalanche control work was conducted was closed for skiing at the time of the incident. Avalanche debris traveled toward the bottom of the lift and ultimately crossed into an area that was open to the public.
Three people were partially buried including one Mammoth Mountain employee. The three individuals were able to free themselves without injury.
Ski Patrol was on scene with initial rescue efforts within minutes and search operations were put into motion immediately. After a transceiver search, RECCO search and avalanche dog search, no results were reported. A manual probe search is on-going.
We are not aware of any missing persons. If members of the public are aware of missing friends or family, please call 760-934-0611.
Mammoth will remain closed today to focus all efforts on the site.
We expect to return to normal operation tomorrow.
Full investigation is ongoing and more details will come.
Mammoth Mountain UPDATE:
SEARCH EFFORTS COMPLETE AT 4:30PM
MAMMOTH MOUNTAIN, CA — At approximately 10:15AM on March 3, 2018, Mammoth Mountain Ski Patrol was performing routine avalanche mitigation work in a closed area when a large avalanche released on the Climax ski run. The avalanche traveled down Upper Dry Creek and terminated at the bottom lift terminal of High Five Express [Chair 5]. The powder cloud from the avalanche extended about 100 meters into an area open to the public, where two guests were partially caught. Both were able to immediately free themselves without serious injury. Additionally, six employees working at the bottom of the closed lift were partially caught, but freed themselves quickly, suffering only minor injuries.
Ski Patrol was on scene with initial rescue efforts within moments, and search operations began immediately. Ski Patrol led a 6-hour search, which included the use of transceivers, RECCO, avalanche rescue dogs, and a manual probe search, all with no results reported. Nearly 200 employees, first responders and guests contributed to the effort on-hill.
Within minutes of the call, Mammoth initiated its emergency response protocols, and multiple agencies and resources responded. Mammoth extends a sincere thank you to all the guests, employees, and other first responders who immediately responded to the scene, as well as to the Mono County Sheriff’s Office, Mammoth Lakes Police Department, Mammoth Lakes Fire Department, Mono County Search and Rescue, Mono County Paramedics, California Highway Patrol, Mammoth Lakes CERT and Inyo County Search and Rescue, all of whom assisted with an overwhelming response.
We are not aware of any missing persons. If members of the public are aware of missing friends or family, please call 760-934-0611.
Mammoth Mountain will return to normal operations Sunday, March 4.
A full investigation is underway.
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