Two ski patrollers were caught in an avalanche at Mammoth Mountain on Friday, resulting in serious injuries to one. The mountain was temporarily closed after the incident, which occurred during avalanche mitigation work following a major storm. The unpredictable nature of avalanches highlights the dangers faced by skiers and resort staff.
Mammoth Mountain was temporarily closed at midday on Friday after two ski patrol lers were caught in an avalanche, resulting in serious injuries to one. The recent atmospheric river storm had deposited approximately 6 feet of snow on the mountain in 36 hours, and the two patrollers were engaged in avalanche mitigation work on expert terrain, as stated in an Instagram post from Mammoth officials.
One patroller was successfully extracted from the avalanche and was responsive, according to the post, while the other was transported to a Mammoth area hospital with serious injuries. After major storms, ski patrollers routinely close steep terrain to the public and deliberately trigger avalanches. They utilize explosives to release large, potentially catastrophic accumulations of snow, causing them to slide. For smaller accumulations, they often employ their skis. The objective is to eliminate the threat in a controlled and safe manner, ensuring that no one is downhill who could be buried. However, outcomes are not always predictable. Avalanches can be extremely unpredictable. Last year, at Palisades Tahoe, four skiers were caught in an avalanche shortly after lifts opened following a substantial storm. One man lost his life, and another sustained injuries. On average, more than 20 individuals are killed each year by avalanches in the United States, according to data provided by the Colorado Avalanche Information Center. Almost all of the victims are backcountry skiers and snowmobilers who venture into remote slopes not monitored by ski patrollers.
Avalanche Mammoth Mountain Ski Patrol Injuries Storm
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