Mammoth Mountain Avalanche Injures Ski Patroller Amid Heavy Sierra Snowfall

Heavy Sierra Snowfall Triggers Multiple Resort Avalanches, Patroller Injured

A Mammoth Mountain ski patroller sustained serious injuries during avalanche control work on February 14, 2025, prompting a complete shutdown of the California resort. The incident occurred around 11:30 AM on Lincoln Mountain, an area known for its steep tree skiing and chutes, following a massive storm that dropped approximately six feet of snow in just 36 hours.

Two patrol members were conducting routine avalanche mitigation work when the slide occurred. While one patroller emerged unharmed, their colleague required immediate medical transport to Mammoth Hospital. Resort management closed all lift operations at noon as a precautionary measure.

In an official statement, Mammoth Mountain detailed their plans for the following day's operations: "Due to extreme avalanche danger, all mountain operations will be delayed. We will focus our efforts first at Canyon and Eagle Lodge, however, lifts are not expected to spin prior to 10:00 AM. All lifts will need to be individually assessed, dug out and proper mitigation must take place before any terrain opens. Patience will need to be practiced tomorrow."

The same day, further north in the Sierra Nevada, Palisades Tahoe faced its own avalanche challenges. The resort's management reported: "At approximately 10:50 a.m. today, two small avalanches occurred on the Palisades side of Palisades Tahoe—one in the Enchanted Forest area and another near Olympic Lady. Ski Patrol responded immediately, conducting a thorough search using avalanche transceivers, RECCO Rescue System technology, and avalanche rescue dog teams. After an extensive search, no injuries were reported."

These incidents occurred after Palisades' ski patrol had already conducted morning avalanche mitigation efforts in both areas as part of standard safety protocols. The slides took place in areas accessible from the resort's renowned KT-22 chairlift, in locations similar to where two skiers were caught in an avalanche the previous year.

The Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center had issued high avalanche danger warnings due to the substantial snowfall, which significantly impacted travel and resort operations throughout the region. The recent storm, depositing approximately 1.8 meters of snow in just 36 hours, created particularly challenging conditions for resort operations and safety management.

These events underscore the critical role of ski patrol in maintaining guest safety and the ongoing challenges faced by ski resorts in managing extreme weather conditions. Both resorts demonstrated their commitment to safety protocols and emergency response procedures during these incidents.