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Mammoth Mountain Halts Operations After Patrol Injuries in Avalanche

Heavy snow with strong winds rapidly loaded Sierra slopes, prompting urgent warnings to avoid avalanche terrain.

Overview

  • Two Mammoth Mountain ski patrollers were caught by a slide during 7:30 a.m. mitigation work on Lincoln Mountain before public operations, and both were rescued.
  • One patroller sustained serious injuries and was transferred out of the area for specialized care, while the second was evaluated for possible broken bones after initial treatment at Mammoth Hospital.
  • Mammoth Mountain suspended operations on Friday and, along with nearby June Mountain, remained closed through Saturday as crews worked to reduce hazards and assess infrastructure.
  • The resort reported more than five feet of snow since Dec. 23, with forecasts calling for additional snowfall and strong winds that maintained high avalanche danger.
  • A separate large avalanche on Saturday near Latopie Lake buried a snowmobiler, who was rescued in a multiagency operation and airlifted to a Reno trauma center, reinforcing countywide safety warnings.