Mammoth Mountain Closes After Avalanche Injures Two Ski Patrollers
Mammoth Mountain closed operations Friday after an avalanche occurred during early-morning mitigation work, injuring two members of the resort’s ski patrol.
According to Mammoth Mountain officials, the avalanche happened at approximately 7:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 26, before the ski area opened for the day. Ski patrol was conducting avalanche control work on Lincoln Mountain when the slide was triggered.
Both patrollers were caught in the avalanche and were quickly transported to Mammoth Hospital. One patroller sustained serious injuries and is being transported out of the area for additional medical care. The second patroller is undergoing evaluation for possible broken bones, officials said.
Mammoth Mountain has been hammered by an intense Sierra storm cycle, receiving more than five feet of snow since Dec. 23. The extraordinary snowfall significantly increased avalanche risk across the mountain, prompting extensive mitigation efforts prior to opening terrain.
Out of an abundance of caution, Mammoth Mountain announced the ski area remained closed for the rest of Friday as teams assess conditions and focus on the well-being of their staff.
Resort officials did not provide a timeline for reopening but said updates would be shared through official channels as conditions allow. Guests are encouraged to monitor Mammoth Mountain’s website and social platforms for the latest operational information.
