A heroic ski patroller who dedicated his life to protecting others on California’s slopes has died after being caught in an avalanche while performing the dangerous work that keeps skiers safe.
Story Overview
- Cole Murphy, 30, died from injuries sustained in avalanche during mitigation work at Mammoth Mountain
- Second patroller injured with possible broken bones during same incident on Lincoln Mountain
- Resort received over five feet of snow in 72 hours, creating extreme avalanche conditions
- This marks the second ski patrol avalanche death at Mammoth Mountain this year
Tragedy Strikes During Critical Safety Work
Cole Murphy, a 30-year-old ski patroller at Mammoth Mountain, lost his life doing what he loved most—protecting fellow outdoor enthusiasts from mountain dangers.
On Friday morning, December 26, 2025, Murphy and a colleague were conducting avalanche mitigation work on Lincoln Mountain when an avalanche struck at approximately 7:30 a.m., before the resort opened to the public.
Murphy sustained serious injuries and was transported to an outside hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries on Sunday evening.
BREAKING UPDATE 🚨🚨#MammothMountain #California
Mammoth Mountain Resort has confirmed that 1 of the Ski Patrol members injured in an avalanche on Friday has passed away as a result of injuries sustained. Cole Murphy was 30 years old. Attached is a message from his family. https://t.co/ZzbS3S5Ksr pic.twitter.com/yHH2GH0zKF
— OC Scanner 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 (@OC_Scanner) December 29, 2025
Family Remembers a Man Called to Serve
Murphy’s family described him as someone who approached life with purpose and dedication. “Cole moved through the world with kindness, intention, and a wholehearted devotion to the life he chose,” the family shared on social media.
They emphasized that serving on ski patrol wasn’t merely employment for Murphy—it represented a calling to protect others in the mountains he cherished. His second colleague sustained injuries including possible broken bones but survived the incident.
Extreme Weather Creates Dangerous Conditions
The avalanche occurred after Mammoth Mountain received more than five feet of snow within a 72-hour period, creating exceptionally hazardous conditions.
The same weather system brought destructive winds, rain, and heavy snowfall across California, forcing resort officials to suspend all operations on Friday due to high avalanche danger. The mountain remained closed Saturday as crews worked to assess and mitigate ongoing risks from the massive snowfall accumulation.
Second Fatal Incident Highlights Mountain Dangers
This tragic incident marks the second ski patrol avalanche fatality at Mammoth Mountain in 2025, following another patroller’s death in February during similar mitigation work.
Located at California’s highest lift-served resort with a summit reaching 11,053 feet, Mammoth Mountain sits on the border of Yosemite National Park in the eastern Sierra Nevada mountains.
Lincoln Peak, where the accident occurred, features avalanche chutes on its northern face—remnants of a massive historical landslide that created a horseshoe-shaped bowl presenting ongoing avalanche risks.
