Two ski patrollers were caught in an avalanche Friday at the Mammoth Mountain ski area, leaving one injured in “extremely critical” condition, officials said.
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Mammoth Mountain officials said the slide occurred at around 11:30 a.m. on Lincoln Mountain during avalanche mitigation work following a significant Sierra Nevada snowstorm, during which approximately six feet of snow fell in 36 hours.
The first patroller was dug out by fellow ski patrollers at the scene and was uninjured, and the second patroller, who had critical injuries, was transported to Mammoth Hospital and flown out of the area for further care, officials said.
According to Mammoth Mountain ski patrol, the female ski patroller was flown to a Reno hospital and “made it through the night.
“Her condition is extremely critical; she is fighting for her life,” officials wrote on a ski patrol post. “Her family, her boyfriend and a group of her fellow ski patrollers are by her side. She is surrounded by love.”
The area was closed to the public at the time of the incident. At noon, the entire mountain and lift operations were closed for the day.
Lincoln Mountain, popular for its steep terrain with chutes, rock bands and tree skiing, is a dome mountain within the ski area near Canyon Lodge.
Mountain officials said that due to the extreme snowfall and avalanche conditions, the resort’s opening will be delayed for a few hours on Saturday morning.
Mammoth officials said there is tremendous work to prepare the mountain for weekend skiers.
After heavy snowfall — Mammoth Mountain received almost 79 inches during the most recent storm — ski patrollers prepare the resort so skiers and boarders can safely ride.
Their activities start early in the morning and include avalanche control, which includes setting off controlled avalanches with explosives, marking hazardous areas, and using ski cuts to stabilize slopes.
They also check trails for safety, clear access routes, and ensure the entire mountain is ready for skiers by opening designated runs in a controlled manner.
The popular resort in the High Sierras draws more than 1.3 million skiers and snowboarders annually.
