Industry News
Mammoth Mountain will operate with significantly reduced lift and terrain access on Wednesday, December 31, as the resort pauses to honor the life of ski patroller Cole Murphy, who died last week after being caught in an inbounds avalanche during mitigation work.
In a statement released Tuesday, December 30, Mammoth Mountain said operations on New Year’s Eve will be limited to the lower mountain only, with Canyon and Eagle Lodges opening first and Main Lodge delayed. The resort asked guests for patience and understanding, noting that many team members will be attending memorial services with Murphy’s family and friends. “Please have grace for our reduced operation, as many of our team members will be honoring Cole Murphy, our fallen patroller,” the resort said.
Murphy, 30, died from injuries sustained on Friday, December 26, while conducting avalanche control work on Lincoln Mountain amid a powerful Sierra Nevada storm cycle. He was one of two patrollers caught in the slide before the resort opened for the day. A second patroller suffered minor injuries and was treated on site.
Mammoth Mountain closed operations on December 26 and 27 following the incident, citing widespread avalanche danger after more than five feet of snowfall combined with strong winds. Limited operations resumed on Sunday, December 28, as patrol teams continued mitigation and safety assessments.
In confirming Murphy’s death on Sunday, the resort described him as “an experienced patroller with a deep passion for the mountains and a love for his career.” Colleagues remembered him for his professionalism, leadership, and commitment to snow safety. His family expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support from the Mammoth community.
The tragedy marked the second fatal inbounds avalanche involving a Mammoth patroller in less than a year. A veteran ski patroller died in a similar incident on Lincoln Mountain in February 2025.
Resort officials said guests who purchased lift tickets, lessons, or rentals for Wednesday and choose not to ski may receive a refund or credit by submitting an online cancellation request. Additional operational details are expected to be posted Wednesday morning.
Mammoth Mountain, located in California’s Eastern Sierra, has received 113 inches of snow so far this season and 73 inches in the past five days alone, according to OpenSnow. The Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center currently rates avalanche danger as moderate, with heightened risk at higher elevations and in wind-loaded terrain.
Despite improving conditions, resort officials continue to urge caution, emphasizing partner awareness and conservative decision-making during deep-snow cycles. “Stick with your crew. Communicate constantly. Keep eyes on your partner,” the resort said in a recent safety message.
Wednesday’s scaled-back operations offer a moment of collective mourning for one of the West’s most prominent ski communities during this difficult time.
