Mammoth Mountain Mourns Loss Of Ski Patroller Cole Murphy

Mammoth Mountain is mourning the loss of 30-year-old ski patroller Cole Murphy, who died Sunday from injuries sustained in an in-bounds avalanche during the Christmas holiday weekend.

The incident occurred at approximately 7:30 a.m. on Friday, December 26, while the ski patrol team was performing routine avalanche mitigation work on Lincoln Mountain. According to resort officials, the mountain had received over five feet of fresh snow in the 72 hours leading up to the slide, creating extremely volatile conditions.

Murphy and a second patroller were caught in the slide before the resort had opened for public operations. While the second patroller was treated for non-life-threatening injuries and is currently recovering after a successful surgery, Murphy was transported to a regional trauma center in critical condition. On Sunday afternoon, Mammoth Mountain confirmed that he had succumbed to his injuries.

"With profound sorrow, Mammoth Mountain confirms that the ski patroller who was critically injured and hospitalized Friday has died from his injuries," the resort said in a statement. "Cole Murphy was an experienced patroller with a deep passion for the mountains and love for his career."

In a statement shared by the resort, Murphy's family remembered him as someone who "moved through the world with kindness, intention, and a wholehearted devotion to the life he chose." 

"The mountain was where Cole felt most alive," the family wrote. "It was his place of purpose, his community, and his second home. Serving on ski patrol wasn't just a role for him—it was a calling."

The family also highlighted Murphy's relationship with his partner, Hayley, describing their connection as one built on adventure, laughter, and a deep bond

Murphy is survived by his partner and a tight-knit community of first responders. The Mono County Sheriff's Office joined the tributes, calling the ski patrol "family" and thanking Murphy for his dedicated service.

The death marks a devastating milestone for the resort, as it is the second ski patroller fatality at Mammoth Mountain in 2025. In February, 25-year-old Claire Murphy (no relation to Cole) also died following an avalanche while performing mitigation work in the same area of Lincoln Mountain.

The recent storm, fueled by a powerful atmospheric river, dumped roughly 60 inches of snow across the Eastern Sierra, forcing the resort to suspend all operations on Friday and Saturday. Mammoth Mountain reopened with limited terrain on Sunday, just as the news of Murphy’s passing was shared with the public.