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Avalanche on Mammoth Mountain Injures Two Ski Patrollers, Forces Temporary Shutdown

Heavy snow with strong winds after more than five feet of accumulation created high avalanche danger across the Eastern Sierra.

Overview

  • The slide struck around 7:30 a.m. on Lincoln Mountain during pre-opening avalanche mitigation, according to resort officials.
  • One patroller suffered serious injuries and was transported out of the area for advanced care, while a second was evaluated for possible broken bones after both were rescued to Mammoth Hospital.
  • Mammoth Mountain suspended all operations Friday and said it would reassess reopening as conditions allow, and Teton Gravity Research reported Mammoth and nearby June Mountain remained closed through Saturday.
  • The Sierra and Eastern Sierra avalanche centers warned that human-triggered avalanches remain likely as snowfall and high winds continue.
  • The resort reported over five feet of snow since Dec. 23 with forecasts calling for another 12 to 18 inches and gusts near 55 mph driving ongoing hazard assessments.