Two Mammoth Mountain ski patrollers were injured while performing avalanche mitigation efforts after a recent storm brought a lot of snow to the resort.
According to Mammoth Mountain officials, the incident occurred around 7:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 26, at the Northern California resort.
More: All major Southern California ski resorts are now open, including Big Bear and Mt. High
Two Mammoth Mountain ski patrollers were injured while performing avalanche mitigation efforts on Dec. 26, 2025, after a recent storm brought large amounts of snow to the resort.
Patrol crews were conducting avalanche mitigation efforts when an avalanche occurred on Mount Lincoln before the ski area opened.
The patrol officer who was trapped by the landslide was immediately taken to Mammoth Hospital.
“One ranger suffered serious injuries and is being transported to the area for further treatment, and another ranger is being evaluated for possible fractures,” Mammoth officials said.
Mitigation operations began after more than 5 feet of snow accumulated on Mammoth Mountain since Dec. 23.
The ski area will be closed for the remainder of the day due to avalanche danger.
Mammoth Mountain is currently facing extreme winter conditions, with up to 44 inches of snow, and more snowfall is expected.
Nearly 2 feet of snow, strong winds and fog are also expected Friday, with temperatures in the 30s to 10s, according to the National Weather Service.
Regarding reopening the ski area, Mammoth Mountain spokesman Mike Imes told SFGATE they will re-evaluate when conditions allow.
Stephanie Parker of Victorville told the Daily News she had planned to go skiing at Mammoth Mountain but decided to stay home after learning of the incident.
February Mammoth Mountain Massacre
In February, two Mammoth Mountain rangers were injured in an avalanche while performing relief work after a severe snowstorm, and one of them died.
Mammoth Mountain ski patrol officer Claire Murphy died from her injuries following the incident, officials said.
The Lincoln Mountain slide occurred during avalanche mitigation efforts in the “The Avy Chutes” area, which experienced a severe Sierra snowstorm that dropped about 6 feet of snow in 36 hours.
Numerous Mammoth Mountain ski patrol personnel immediately responded to the scene to assist with rescue efforts and used beacon technology to locate patrol personnel.
One patrolman was rescued from the scene without injury, while Patrolman Murphy suffered serious injuries and was taken to Mammoth Hospital and later flown out of the area for further treatment.
Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz can be reached at RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on X @DP_ReneDeLaCruz.
This article originally appeared in the Victorville Daily News: Avalanche at Mammoth Mountain Ski Resort injures two