Ski Patroller Dies After Avalanche at Mammoth Mountain

One of the two ski patrollers injured in an avalanche at Mammoth Mountain on Friday has died, resort officials confirmed Sunday.

Cole Murphy, 30, was performing avalanche mitigation work with another patroller when a slide occurred on Lincoln Mountain around 7:30 a.m. Friday. Both were caught in the avalanche and transported to Mammoth Hospital. Murphy later succumbed to his injuries.

The second patroller, who has not been identified, remains hospitalized and is recovering after undergoing successful surgery, according to Mammoth Mountain officials.

Murphy was described by the resort as “an experienced patroller with a deep passion for the mountains and love for his career.” His family released a statement remembering him as someone who moved through life with kindness, purpose, and deep devotion to the work he chose.

“The mountain was where Cole felt most alive,” the family wrote, calling ski patrol not just his job, but his calling. They also expressed gratitude to the Mammoth ski patrol community for the bond they shared with him and to the many people who have offered support in recent days.

The incident comes less than a year after another ski patroller died following an avalanche on the same mountain. That 2024 slide also trapped a second patroller, who was recovered uninjured.