{"id":2092849,"date":"2026-08-14T08:27:03","date_gmt":"2026-08-14T05:27:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2092849"},"modified":"2026-08-14T08:27:03","modified_gmt":"2026-08-14T05:27:03","slug":"cal-osha-finds-mammoth-mountain-ca-willfully-violated-safety-rules-after-ski-patrollers-december-2025-death","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2092849","title":{"rendered":"Cal\/OSHA Finds Mammoth Mountain, CA, \u2018Willfully\u2019 Violated Safety Rules After Ski Patroller\u2019s December 2025 Death"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<figure id=\"attachment_420286\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-420286\" style=\"width: 1716px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-420286 lazyload\" src=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAoAAAAGAAQMAAAAH60H9AAAABlBMVEUAAAD\/\/\/+l2Z\/dAAAAAXRSTlMAQObYZgAAAAlwSFlzAAAOxAAADsQBlSsOGwAAADVJREFUeNrtwTEBAAAAwqD1T20ND6AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAC+DHmAAAF14hRZAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC\" alt width=\"640\" height=\"384\" data-src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/mammoth-aerial.jpg?resize=640%2C384&amp;ssl=1\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/mammoth-aerial.jpg?w=1716&amp;ssl=1 1716w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/mammoth-aerial.jpg?resize=300%2C180&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/mammoth-aerial.jpg?resize=1200%2C720&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/mammoth-aerial.jpg?resize=768%2C461&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/mammoth-aerial.jpg?resize=1536%2C921&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/mammoth-aerial.jpg?w=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-eio-rwidth=\"640\" data-eio-rheight=\"384\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-420286\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/mammoth-aerial.jpg?resize=640%2C384&amp;ssl=1\" alt width=\"640\" height=\"384\" data-eio=\"l\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-420286\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Aerial view of Mammoth Mountain. | Photo: Ecosign<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"code-block code-block-1\" style=\"margin: 8px auto;text-align: center;display: block;clear: both\">\n<!-- GAM 71161633\/SNWBR_snowbrains\/article_hrec_1 --><\/p>\n<div data-fuse=\"article_hrec_1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mammothmountain.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Mammoth Mountain<\/a>, California, is facing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.osha.gov\/ords\/imis\/establishment.inspection_detail?id=1866515.015\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">$126,000 in Cal\/OSHA fines<\/a> following an investigation into the December 2025 avalanche that killed ski patroller Cole Murphy.<\/strong> The investigation found three workplace safety violations, including one classified as a \u201cwillful\u201d violation, as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sfgate.com\/bayarea\/article\/mammoth-avalanche-ski-patrol-22375377.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">reported by SFGATE<\/a>. Mammoth says it has corrected the violations and is appealing the citations.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Murphy, a 30-year-old lifelong skier from Tacoma, Washington, was working as a Mammoth ski patroller when he was caught in an avalanche during mitigation work on Lincoln Mountain on December 26, 2025.<\/strong> He was buried for approximately 15 minutes and later died from his injuries.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Related: <\/strong><em><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/snowbrains.com\/mammoth-mountain-ca-ski-patroller-has-died-after-inbounds-avalanche\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"bookmark noopener\">Mammoth Mountain, CA, Ski Patroller Dies After Inbounds Avalanche<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<figure id=\"attachment_384454\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-384454\" style=\"width: 1920px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-384454 lazyload\" src=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAoAAAAFoAQMAAAD9\/NgSAAAABlBMVEUAAAD\/\/\/+l2Z\/dAAAAAXRSTlMAQObYZgAAAAlwSFlzAAAOxAAADsQBlSsOGwAAADJJREFUeNrtwQENAAAAwqD3T+3sARQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAN3HoAAEwzlS7AAAAAElFTkSuQmCC\" alt=\"Cole Murphy, 30. | Photo: Mammoth Mountain Instagram\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" data-src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/SnowBrains-FI-Template.jpg?resize=640%2C360&amp;ssl=1\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/SnowBrains-FI-Template.jpg?w=1920&amp;ssl=1 1920w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/SnowBrains-FI-Template.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/SnowBrains-FI-Template.jpg?resize=1200%2C675&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/SnowBrains-FI-Template.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/SnowBrains-FI-Template.jpg?resize=1536%2C864&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/SnowBrains-FI-Template.jpg?resize=600%2C338&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/SnowBrains-FI-Template.jpg?w=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-eio-rwidth=\"640\" data-eio-rheight=\"360\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-384454\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/SnowBrains-FI-Template.jpg?resize=640%2C360&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"Cole Murphy, 30. | Photo: Mammoth Mountain Instagram\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" data-eio=\"l\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-384454\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Cole Murphy, 30. | Photo: Mammoth Mountain Instagram<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Murphy\u2019s death was particularly significant because it was the second fatal avalanche involving a Mammoth ski patroller in less than a year.<\/strong> In February of 2025, 25-year-old ski patroller Claire Murphy, who was not related to Cole, died after being caught in an avalanche in the same Avalanche Chutes area.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Related: <\/strong><em><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/snowbrains.com\/mammoth-mountain-ca-ski-patroller-dies-following-valentines-day-avalanche\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"bookmark noopener\">Mammoth Mountain, CA, Ski Patroller Dies Following Valentine\u2019s Day Avalanche<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><strong>Cal\/OSHA Finds Three Violations<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><strong>Following its investigation, California\u2019s Division of Occupational Safety and Health, known as Cal\/OSHA, issued three citations against Mammoth Mountain Ski Area LLC. <\/strong>The largest citation was a $90,000 fine for a willful violation involving avalanche airbags. Cal\/OSHA determined that Mammoth failed to adequately train employees in the use of the protective equipment, specifically finding that the resort did not ensure employees were properly instructed on airbag deployment.<\/p>\n<div class=\"code-block code-block-15\" style=\"margin: 8px auto;text-align: center;display: block;clear: both\">\n<div class=\"sb-trending-widget\">\n<div class=\"sb-trending-header\">\n            <span class=\"sb-trending-icon\">\ud83d\udd25<\/span><br \/>\n            <span class=\"sb-trending-label\">Trending on SnowBrains<\/span>\n        <\/div>\n<ol class=\"sb-trending-list\">\n<li class=\"sb-trending-item\">\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/snowbrains.com\/trial-against-2-ski-tour-guides-opens-2023-avalanche-colorado-and-british-teens\/?utm_source=trending_widget&amp;utm_medium=internal&amp;utm_campaign=trending\" class=\"sb-trending-link\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"sb-trending-thumb\">\n                        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAFAAAABAAQMAAAC3CWJ1AAAABlBMVEUAAAD\/\/\/+l2Z\/dAAAAAXRSTlMAQObYZgAAAAlwSFlzAAAOxAAADsQBlSsOGwAAAA9JREFUKM9jYBgFo2DoAgACwAABuG9msgAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==\" alt=\"Trial Against 2 Ski Tour Guides Over 2023 Avalanche Deaths Opens This Week\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"80\" height=\"64\" data-src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/IMG_4176-e1786404863479.jpeg?resize=200%2C125&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"lazyload\" data-eio-rwidth=\"80\" data-eio-rheight=\"64\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/IMG_4176-e1786404863479.jpeg?resize=200%2C125&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"Trial Against 2 Ski Tour Guides Over 2023 Avalanche Deaths Opens This Week\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"80\" height=\"64\" data-eio=\"l\">\n                    <\/div>\n<div class=\"sb-trending-text\">\n                        <span class=\"sb-trending-num\">1<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"sb-trending-right\">\n                            <span class=\"sb-trending-title\">Trial Against 2 Ski Tour Guides Over 2023 Avalanche Deaths Opens This Week<span class=\"sb-trending-arrow\"> \u2192<\/span><\/span>\n                        <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>                <\/a>\n            <\/li>\n<li class=\"sb-trending-item\">\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/snowbrains.com\/best-resorts-beginners-europe\/?utm_source=trending_widget&amp;utm_medium=internal&amp;utm_campaign=trending\" class=\"sb-trending-link\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"sb-trending-thumb\">\n                        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAFAAAABAAQMAAAC3CWJ1AAAABlBMVEUAAAD\/\/\/+l2Z\/dAAAAAXRSTlMAQObYZgAAAAlwSFlzAAAOxAAADsQBlSsOGwAAAA9JREFUKM9jYBgFo2DoAgACwAABuG9msgAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==\" alt=\"Best Beginner Ski Resorts in Europe\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"80\" height=\"64\" data-src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/gurgl_skifahren_roman_huber_78_23-min.jpg?resize=200%2C125&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"lazyload\" data-eio-rwidth=\"80\" data-eio-rheight=\"64\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/gurgl_skifahren_roman_huber_78_23-min.jpg?resize=200%2C125&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"Best Beginner Ski Resorts in Europe\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"80\" height=\"64\" data-eio=\"l\">\n                    <\/div>\n<div class=\"sb-trending-text\">\n                        <span class=\"sb-trending-num\">2<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"sb-trending-right\">\n                            <span class=\"sb-trending-title\">Best Beginner Ski Resorts in Europe<span class=\"sb-trending-arrow\"> \u2192<\/span><\/span>\n                        <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>                <\/a>\n            <\/li>\n<li class=\"sb-trending-item\">\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/snowbrains.com\/body-of-pakistani-guide-sohail-sakhi-recovered-from-broad-peak-avalanche\/?utm_source=trending_widget&amp;utm_medium=internal&amp;utm_campaign=trending\" class=\"sb-trending-link\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"sb-trending-thumb\">\n                        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAFAAAABAAQMAAAC3CWJ1AAAABlBMVEUAAAD\/\/\/+l2Z\/dAAAAAXRSTlMAQObYZgAAAAlwSFlzAAAOxAAADsQBlSsOGwAAAA9JREFUKM9jYBgFo2DoAgACwAABuG9msgAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==\" alt=\"Body of Sohail Sakhi was Recovered Today\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"80\" height=\"64\" data-src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_4076.jpeg?resize=200%2C125&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"lazyload\" data-eio-rwidth=\"80\" data-eio-rheight=\"64\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_4076.jpeg?resize=200%2C125&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"Body of Sohail Sakhi was Recovered Today\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"80\" height=\"64\" data-eio=\"l\">\n                    <\/div>\n<div class=\"sb-trending-text\">\n                        <span class=\"sb-trending-num\">3<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"sb-trending-right\">\n                            <span class=\"sb-trending-title\">Body of Sohail Sakhi was Recovered Today<span class=\"sb-trending-arrow\"> \u2192<\/span><\/span>\n                        <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>                <\/a>\n            <\/li>\n<li class=\"sb-trending-item\">\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/snowbrains.com\/mammoth-mountain-cal-osha-avalanche-fines\/?utm_source=trending_widget&amp;utm_medium=internal&amp;utm_campaign=trending\" class=\"sb-trending-link\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"sb-trending-thumb\">\n                        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAFAAAABAAQMAAAC3CWJ1AAAABlBMVEUAAAD\/\/\/+l2Z\/dAAAAAXRSTlMAQObYZgAAAAlwSFlzAAAOxAAADsQBlSsOGwAAAA9JREFUKM9jYBgFo2DoAgACwAABuG9msgAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==\" alt=\"Mammoth Mountain Fined $126K Following Cal\/OSHA Probe\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"80\" height=\"64\" data-src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/mammoth-aerial.jpg?resize=200%2C125&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"lazyload\" data-eio-rwidth=\"80\" data-eio-rheight=\"64\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/mammoth-aerial.jpg?resize=200%2C125&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"Mammoth Mountain Fined $126K Following Cal\/OSHA Probe\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"80\" height=\"64\" data-eio=\"l\">\n                    <\/div>\n<div class=\"sb-trending-text\">\n                        <span class=\"sb-trending-num\">4<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"sb-trending-right\">\n                            <span class=\"sb-trending-title\">Mammoth Mountain Fined $126K Following Cal\/OSHA Probe<span class=\"sb-trending-arrow\"> \u2192<\/span><\/span>\n                        <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>                <\/a>\n            <\/li>\n<li class=\"sb-trending-item\">\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/snowbrains.com\/castle-peak-avalanche-reports\/?utm_source=trending_widget&amp;utm_medium=internal&amp;utm_campaign=trending\" class=\"sb-trending-link\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"sb-trending-thumb\">\n                        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAFAAAABAAQMAAAC3CWJ1AAAABlBMVEUAAAD\/\/\/+l2Z\/dAAAAAXRSTlMAQObYZgAAAAlwSFlzAAAOxAAADsQBlSsOGwAAAA9JREFUKM9jYBgFo2DoAgACwAABuG9msgAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==\" alt=\"More Details Emerge on Castle Peak Avalanche\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"80\" height=\"64\" data-src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/494410437_1104579774811804_1947529593301345455_n.jpg?resize=200%2C125&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"lazyload\" data-eio-rwidth=\"80\" data-eio-rheight=\"64\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/494410437_1104579774811804_1947529593301345455_n.jpg?resize=200%2C125&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"More Details Emerge on Castle Peak Avalanche\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"80\" height=\"64\" data-eio=\"l\">\n                    <\/div>\n<div class=\"sb-trending-text\">\n                        <span class=\"sb-trending-num\">5<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"sb-trending-right\">\n                            <span class=\"sb-trending-title\">More Details Emerge on Castle Peak Avalanche<span class=\"sb-trending-arrow\"> \u2192<\/span><\/span>\n                        <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>                <\/a>\n            <\/li>\n<\/ol><\/div>\n<p>    .sb-trending-widget {<br \/>\n        background: #f8f8f8;<br \/>\n        border-top: 2px solid #e0e0e0;<br \/>\n        border-left: 4px solid #ea2e49;<br \/>\n        border-radius: 0 4px 4px 0;<br \/>\n        margin: 28px 0;<br \/>\n        padding: 14px 14px 6px;<br \/>\n   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\/>\n        border-radius: 3px;<br \/>\n        transition: background 0.1s;<br \/>\n    }<br \/>\n    .sb-trending-item:last-child {<br \/>\n        border-bottom: none;<br \/>\n        padding-bottom: 4px;<br \/>\n    }<br \/>\n    .sb-trending-item:active {<br \/>\n        background: #fef0f2;<br \/>\n    }<br \/>\n    .sb-trending-link {<br \/>\n        display: flex;<br \/>\n        align-items: center;<br \/>\n        gap: 10px;<br \/>\n        text-decoration: none;<br \/>\n        color: inherit;<br \/>\n        padding: 2px 4px;<br \/>\n    }<br \/>\n    .sb-trending-thumb {<br \/>\n        flex-shrink: 0;<br \/>\n    }<br \/>\n    .sb-trending-thumb img {<br \/>\n        display: block;<br \/>\n        width: 80px;<br \/>\n        height: 64px;<br \/>\n        object-fit: cover;<br \/>\n        border-radius: 3px;<br \/>\n    }<br \/>\n    .sb-trending-text {<br \/>\n        display: flex;<br \/>\n        align-items: center;<br \/>\n        gap: 8px;<br \/>\n        flex: 1;<br \/>\n        min-width: 0;<br \/>\n    }<br \/>\n    .sb-trending-num {<br \/>\n        font-size: 22px;<br \/>\n        font-weight: 700;<br \/>\n        color: #ea2e49;<br \/>\n        line-height: 1;<br \/>\n        min-width: 22px;<br \/>\n        flex-shrink: 0;<br \/>\n    }<br \/>\n    .sb-trending-right {<br \/>\n        flex: 1;<br \/>\n        min-width: 0;<br \/>\n    }<br \/>\n    .sb-trending-title {<br \/>\n        font-size: 14px;<br \/>\n        font-weight: 500;<br \/>\n        color: #1a1a1a;<br \/>\n        line-height: 1.45;<br \/>\n        text-align: left;<br \/>\n        transition: color 0.15s;<br \/>\n        display: inline;<br \/>\n    }<br \/>\n    .sb-trending-arrow {<br \/>\n        font-size: 14px;<br \/>\n        color: #ea2e49;<br \/>\n        font-weight: 700;<br \/>\n        white-space: nowrap;<br \/>\n        display: inline;<br \/>\n    }<br \/>\n    .sb-trending-link:hover .sb-trending-title {<br \/>\n        color: #ea2e49;<br \/>\n    }<br \/>\n    .sb-trending-link:active .sb-trending-title {<br \/>\n        color: #ea2e49;<br \/>\n    }<\/p><\/div>\n<p><strong>Under Cal\/OSHA classifications, a willful violation generally means an employer acted with intentional disregard for, or plain indifference to, employee safety.<\/strong> The other two citations carried $18,000 fines each. Investigators found that ski patrollers failed to maintain adequate communication during avalanche mitigation and failed to ensure employees were clear of the avalanche path before explosives were detonated.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_356518\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-356518\" style=\"width: 1098px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-356518 lazyload\" src=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAoAAAAGpAQMAAAAnSBUDAAAABlBMVEUAAAD\/\/\/+l2Z\/dAAAAAXRSTlMAQObYZgAAAAlwSFlzAAAOxAAADsQBlSsOGwAAADhJREFUeNrtwTEBAAAAwqD1T20LL6AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAC4GoZ5AAEJOoIfAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC\" alt width=\"640\" height=\"425\" data-src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Screen-Shot-2025-03-25-at-9.34.55-PM.jpg?resize=640%2C425&amp;ssl=1\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Screen-Shot-2025-03-25-at-9.34.55-PM.jpg?w=1098&amp;ssl=1 1098w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Screen-Shot-2025-03-25-at-9.34.55-PM.jpg?resize=300%2C199&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Screen-Shot-2025-03-25-at-9.34.55-PM.jpg?resize=768%2C510&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Screen-Shot-2025-03-25-at-9.34.55-PM.jpg?resize=600%2C398&amp;ssl=1 600w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-eio-rwidth=\"640\" data-eio-rheight=\"425\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-356518\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Screen-Shot-2025-03-25-at-9.34.55-PM.jpg?resize=640%2C425&amp;ssl=1\" alt width=\"640\" height=\"425\" data-eio=\"l\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-356518\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Face of Chair 22 on Lincoln Mountain | Photo: SnowBrains<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"code-block code-block-2\" style=\"margin: 8px auto;text-align: center;display: block;clear: both\">\n<!-- GAM 71161633\/SNWBR_snowbrains\/article_hrec_2 --><\/p>\n<div data-fuse=\"article_hrec_2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2><strong>Mammoth Expanding Remote Avalanche Control<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><strong>The Cal\/OSHA findings raise questions about Mammoth\u2019s avalanche mitigation procedures, but the resort is also taking steps to reduce the risks faced by its ski patrol.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>One of the biggest changes is the expansion of Remote Avalanche Control Systems (RACS).<\/strong> These systems allow avalanche professionals to trigger controlled avalanches remotely rather than requiring patrollers to physically enter hazardous terrain to deploy explosives. Mammoth installed its first gas-powered \u201cBoom Whoosh\u201d remote avalanche control system on Climax, an expert run near the summit, during summer 2025. The resort is now expanding the system into additional high-risk avalanche terrain, including Lincoln Mountain. The goal is to reduce employee exposure to avalanche hazards while allowing Mammoth\u2019s avalanche professionals to continue using their experience and judgment.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Changes Within Ski Patrol<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><strong>Mammoth is also changing its ski patrol leadership and operations.<\/strong> Longtime ski patrol director Bobby Hoyt, who spent four decades at Mammoth and 20 years as patrol director, has moved into a senior adviser position. The resort has also posted openings for a new patrol director and assistant directors responsible for operations and snow safety.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The changes come as Mammoth continues to manage avalanche hazards on a mountain that averages approximately 400 inches of snow annually and can receive significantly more during major winters.<\/strong> The resort recorded nearly 900 inches during the historic 2022-23 season.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Avalanche mitigation is essential to operating Mammoth safely, but the work can expose patrollers to some of the most dangerous conditions on the mountain.<\/strong> The Cal\/OSHA investigation highlights some gaps in Mammoth\u2019s safety procedures, particularly because some findings echoed concerns identified after the previous patroller death. With another winter approaching, Mammoth Mountain will face the ongoing challenge of balancing effective avalanche mitigation with the safety of the patrollers responsible for protecting the mountain. The Cal\/OSHA findings underscore the need for improved procedures, while Mammoth\u2019s investment in remote avalanche control and changes within ski patrol could help make avalanche operations safer moving forward.<\/p>\n<p><!-- CONTENT END 1 -->\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Aerial view of Mammoth Mountain. | Photo: Ecosign Mammoth Mountain, California, is facing $126,000 in Cal\/OSHA fines following an investigation into the December 2025 avalanche that killed ski patroller Cole Murphy. The investigation found three workplace safety violations, including one classified as a \u201cwillful\u201d violation, as reported by SFGATE. Mammoth says it has corrected the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[226,267],"class_list":["post-2092849","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-crawlmanager","tag-snowbrains-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2092849","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2092849"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2092849\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2092849"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2092849"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2092849"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}