Mammoth Mountain Avalanche: 25-Year-Old Daughter's Heartbreaking Last Moments Described by Mother Mammoth Lakes, California —
A mother has shared the heartbreaking final moments of her 25-year-old daughter, who was killed in an avalanche while performing avalanche mitigation work at Mammoth Mountain Ski Resort, one of California’s most popular and snow-intense winter destinations. �
The young woman, identified in earlier reports as Claire Murphy, was part of the resort’s ski patrol team responsible for safety operations on steep, snow-covered terrain. Prior to public skiing hours, ski patrol members frequently work early in the day to initiate and control slides in hazardous snowpacks. �
A Life Dedicated to the Mountains
Claire had pursued her dream of serving on ski patrol — a role she had admired since childhood. Loved ones describe her as a vibrant, compassionate person with a deep passion for the mountains and the skiing community. She had recently completed her Masters in Social Work, but chose to combine her academic energy with her lifelong love of skiing by joining Mammoth’s patrol team. �
Her mother has recounted the terrifying final moments, explaining that Claire and her colleagues were performing avalanche mitigation work — a task that requires skilled professionals to assess and provoke controlled snow slides to reduce the risk of larger, spontaneous avalanches. They frequently have to work on steep slopes in unstable snow conditions. �
The family claims that rescuers worked for 15 to 20 minutes to free her from the snow after she was caught in the avalanche. Her injuries were too severe, despite her initially being alive and responsive. Her mother has described those harrowing rescue efforts as “every second feeling like an eternity,” emphasizing the courage and hardship endured in those final minutes. �
What Really Occurred on the Mountain The avalanche struck in closed terrain designated for professional ski patrol use, not in public ski areas. Members of the patrol were looking at the layers of snow that had just been deposited by powerful winter storms. When snowpack becomes dense and unstable, mitigation efforts can put even experienced professionals at risk of fatal slides. �
These avalanche control operations are standard practice at major ski resorts: ski patrol teams intentionally trigger controlled slides, using explosives or specialized techniques, to prevent dangerous snow accumulation that might otherwise threaten skiers later in the day. Even with a lot of training, the work is always risky, especially when there is a lot of snow. �
A Season of Multiple Tragic Events This winter, the death of Claire is one of several recent fatalities at Mammoth Mountain. The resort has reported a number of unrelated fatalities, some of which involved skiers and snowboarders in accidents on expert runs. A skier died earlier this month on the expert run "Dropout 2" in one of the most notable incidents, marking at least four deaths at Mammoth this season. �
Cole Murphy, a 30-year-old ski patroller who was not related to Claire, died in an avalanche while working on early-morning mitigation in December 2025. Mammoth Mountain publicly mourned his loss, emphasizing his deep connection to the mountains and the patrol community. �
These back-to-back tragedies have raised questions within the skiing community about avalanche safety protocols — particularly around avalanche control after major storm events and how such operations are planned and executed. Some veteran patrollers and observers have wondered whether conditions were unusually dangerous or whether procedural changes are needed to ensure staff safety. �
Mammoth Mountain’s Response
Officials at Mammoth Mountain have reiterated the inherent dangers of avalanche mitigation work and have expressed "profound sorrow" over the loss of ski patrol members. In statements following the earlier December incident, the resort noted it would continue reviewing and refining safety procedures in light of changing winter weather patterns and intense snowpack conditions. �
Representatives have also highlighted that avalanche control is a necessary part of managing a large ski area exposed to significant storm cycles — especially high-elevation resorts in the Sierra Nevada, where heavy snowfall can occur rapidly. �
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Community Mourning and Legacy
To honor Claire's memory, tributes have been created by her friends and family, who remember her for her professionalism and warmth as a person. She was praised by coworkers as a dedicated team member whose love of the outdoors and safety had inspired others. �
Beyond the immediate loss, the avalanche tragedy has drawn broader attention to the risks ski patrol teams face. Though training and protective protocols are rigorous, snow science and mountain weather remain unpredictable, and even seasoned professionals confront life-threatening challenges while striving to keep resorts safe for the thousands of visitors who flock to the slopes each winter.
— Reporting contributed by associated news sources.
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