Mammoth Shuts Down Operations After Inbounds Avalanche Injuries

The Sierra Nevada just received a "Christmas miracle" in terms of snow totals, but the massive accumulation has come with a heavy price for mountain operations. On Friday, December 26, 2025, five feet of new powder caused a serious incident on Mammoth Mountain's Lincoln Mountain.

During early morning avalanche mitigation work at approximately 7:30 a.m., two Mammoth Mountain ski patrollers were caught in a slide. The resort confirmed that the incident occurred prior to public operations. One patroller sustained serious injuries and required transport out of the region for specialized medical care, while the second was evaluated for possible broken bones.

The Eastern Sierra has been under a relentless atmospheric hammer, with over 60 inches of snow falling since December 23. This rapid loading, combined with high winds, created a "High" avalanche danger rating across all elevations. These conditions mirror a tragic event from February 2025 on the same peak, underscoring the inherent risks our patrollers take to keep the terrain safe.

In the interest of public safety, Mammoth Mountain and June Mountain remained fully closed through Saturday, December 27. Crews are currently working around the clock to mitigate hazards and assess infrastructure. Resort officials have strictly urged the public to stay off the mountain during this closure. Unauthorized access during mitigation work puts both guests and workers at extreme risk.

At TGR, we live for these deep cycles, but we also respect the power of the mountains. Our thoughts are with the injured patrollers and the entire Mammoth community as they navigate this heavy week.