State Regulators Hold Mammoth Mountain, CA, Responsible for Fatal 2025 Avalanche Involving Ski Patroller

State workplace safety regulators have officially leveled blame against Mammoth Mountain Ski Area for the death of a ski patroller last year, concluding that the resort failed to implement necessary safety protocols to protect its staff from known avalanche risks. According to a July 2025 citation from the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA), the resort was fined $26,810 following an investigation into the February 14, 2025, death of 25-year-old Claire Murphy, according to reporting by SFGATE.

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The Findings: A “Failure” of Safeguards

The state’s investigation paints a picture of a safety program that fell short during critical operations. Murphy was killed during a blizzard while working to clear the “Avalanche Chutes”—a high-stakes area of the mountain that sits directly above the Canyon Express lift, a hub for beginner skiers.

Cal/OSHA’s report issued three specific violations, determining that Mammoth Mountain:

• Placed personnel in unnecessary danger without providing adequate safeguards.

• Failed to establish effective “safe zones” for patrollers to shelter in while avalanche mitigation (intentional triggering of slides) was underway.

• Lacked proper documentation regarding avalanche training for its employees.

The state also issued a “serious” violation regarding the use of avalanche airbags, finding in an investigation that Murphy and her partner did not have their airbags deployed at the time of the incident. The state alleged the company failed to ensure their proper use.

A Pattern of Tragedy

The 2025 citation comes amid a dark period for the world-renowned resort. Just 10 months after Claire Murphy’s death, a second patroller, Cole Murphy (no relation), was killed in December 2025 while performing similar mitigation work in the same area of the mountain.

While Cal/OSHA is currently investigating the second fatality, the deaths have cast a spotlight on the intense pressure to open the Canyon Express lift. The lift is a vital artery for the mountain’s traffic; closures there often lead to massive bottlenecks and frustration among guests, some of which have gone viral on social media in recent years.

The Resort’s Response

Mammoth Mountain, which is owned by the multi-billion-dollar Alterra Mountain Company, is currently contesting Cal/OSHA’s findings.

In a statement to SnowBrains, resort spokesperson Emily van Greuning maintained that employee safety is the company’s “highest priority,” adding, “Recent media coverage has suggested that the State of California (Cal/OSHA) has made definitive findings of fault against Mammoth Mountain. That characterization is inaccurate. The matter referenced in these reports involves an administrative determination by the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) regarding compliance with certain regulations and their interpretation, and it is not a legal finding of fact or fault. Mammoth respectfully disagrees with the Division’s interpretation and application of certain regulations and has exercised its right to appeal that determination based on the facts. Because the matter is currently under review through the formal appeals process, there have been no findings of fact and no final determinations of any regulatory violation. At this stage, it would be inappropriate to comment further on the details of the case. The safety of our guests and employees remains our highest priority, and we remain fully committed to complying with all applicable safety standards and working cooperatively with state regulators.”

In the wake of the second death, Mammoth Mountain President Eric Clark told the Los Angeles Times that while executives do not rush the patrol teams, the “pressure” from the skiing public is a known factor. In late January, the resort announced a shift toward “more conservative” decision-making, warning guests that the Canyon Express lift may remain closed during and immediately following heavy storms to prioritize staff safety.

Industry Context

Ski patrol deaths are statistically rare and comprise roughly less than 4% of all avalanche fatalities according to historical data. Yet, the back-to-back tragedies at Mammoth have renewed calls for stricter oversight in high-alpine workplace environments.

As of this report, the investigation into the December 2025 death remains open, and the appeal regarding the initial $26,810 fine is pending.