Mammoth Mountain Appeals OSHA Determination on Ski Patroller's Death

The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) opened an investigation at Mammoth Mountain, following the death of a ski patroller in an accident last winter.

Claire Murphy was one of two ski patrollers caught in an avalanche on February 14, 2025, at Mammoth Mountain, while working to open terrain in an area called 'Avalanche Chutes.' The second patroller survived, but Murphy tragically passed away due to injuries.

Following the investigation, Cal/OSHA made an administrative determination regarding Mammoth's compliance with certain safety regulations.

Recent media coverage by SFGate reported that the state would be issuing a fine to the ski area for three violations related to Murphy's death.

A Mammoth Mountain spokesperson, in a statement shared with POWDER, claims that the reported findings of fault are inaccurate. Rather, Cal/OSHA's determination is not a legal finding of fact or fault.

Mammoth Mountain has exercised its right to appeal the determination, which is currently under review via a formal appeals process. Keep reading for more.

The 2026 POWDER Photo Annual is here! Look for a print copy on a newsstand near you, or click here to have a copy shipped directly to your front door.

The full statement from Mammoth to POWDER is as follows:

"Recent media coverage has suggested that the State of California (Cal/OSHA) has made definitive findings of fault against Mammoth Mountain. That characterization is inaccurate.

The matter referenced in these reports involves an administrative determination by the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) regarding compliance with certain regulations and their interpretation, and it is not a legal finding of fact or fault. Mammoth respectfully disagrees with the Division's interpretation and application of certain regulations and has exercised its right to appeal that determination based on the facts. Because the matter is currently under review through the formal appeals process, there have been no findings of fact and no final determinations of any regulatory violation. At this stage, it would be inappropriate to comment further on the details of the case. The safety of our guests and employees remains our highest priority, and we remain fully committed to complying with all applicable safety standards and working cooperatively with state regulators."

This incident is unrelated to the death of another Mammoth Mountain ski patroller, Cole Murphy (no relation) in December of 2025.