On Thursday, a skier tragically lost his life while attempting a challenging run from the summit of Mammoth Mountain in California, which stands at 11,000 feet. This incident marks the fourth fatality at the resort this season.
The skier, whose identity has not been released, was navigating a treacherous trail known as Dropout 2. This route is infamous for its steepness and a drop of nearly 1,200 feet, making it one of the most challenging trails in the state.
This latest incident adds to a grim list of fatalities this season, which includes a snowboarder who perished in December at Climax Bowl, another skier caught in an avalanche at Cornice Bowl in January, and yet another skier who lost control at Devil’s Slide just last month. Each of these cases involved the steep and perilous terrain of Mammoth Mountain, which boasts an elevation of 3,100 feet.
The ski season here is notably lengthy, often stretching from November until July, accompanied by average annual snowfall that surpasses 400 inches.
On a harrowing Reddit thread, a person claiming to be a witness described the chaotic scene. According to this individual, the skier attempted to leap off a rock but collided with another outcrop upon landing, causing him to lose a ski and slide down the slope headfirst, striking his head against a rock.
The skier reportedly traveled about 150 yards while unconscious, leaving behind a visible blood trail. Witnesses recounted that his friends called for help while trying to reach him.
Ski patrols swiftly cordoned off the area and were seen performing CPR, while family members anxiously awaited updates nearby.
Raymond John Albert Jr. — “Every Day Lay”
Known as “Everyday Ray” among friends, Raymond John Albert Jr. skied nearly every day and frequently traveled from Bishop to Mammoth Mountain. However, on Christmas Day 2025, he was found unconscious in deep snow off the Harry Gully Trail. Ski Patrol attended at around 12:45 p.m. After attempts to revive him, including CPR and the use of an automated external defibrillator, he was taken to Mammoth Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
In a Facebook post, friends shared memories of him as a person who “loved America and Fox News,” emphasizing that he was happiest in the peaceful mountains, reflecting that he died doing what he loved.
Albert had previously owned a condo in Mammoth before relocating to Bishop.
Describing him as “a carpenter, a kind, good man,” Patrick Bernard of Mammoth Lakes noted that Albert was known for his consistent daily commutes to the mountain for skiing.
Cole Murphy
Just a day after Albert Jr.’s accident, Mammoth Mountain ski patrolman Cole Murphy sustained serious injuries in an avalanche while conducting safety work on Lincoln Mountain early in the morning.
Murphy and a colleague were caught in the avalanche, with his partner suffering potential broken bones. He was airlifted to Reno due to life-threatening injuries.
The following Sunday, Mammoth Mountain confirmed Murphy’s death. His family stated he was passionate about the mountains, considering them his community and second home, and that working on the ski patrol was more than just a job for him—it was his true calling.
Sebastian Zelaya Salcido
On January 14, Sebastian Zelaya Salcido, 25, suffered severe injuries in a snowboarding accident at Mammoth Mountain. He was airlifted to Reno with irreversible brain damage and, unfortunately, passed away two days later.
Authorities later confirmed that he had been riding on a popular terrain at the resort when the incident occurred.
Salcido, an organ donor, was able to provide the “gift of life” to another family in his final act, according to his family. A GoFundMe campaign was established for his family, successfully raising around $50,000 for medical expenses and funeral costs, as well as to assist with his sister’s college tuition. He worked as a human resources associate at PIMCO, an investment management firm in Los Angeles.
“Sebastian was a bright light in the lives of so many,” his family shared. They remembered him as a devoted son, brother, and a loving dog father, highlighting how cherished he was by all who knew him.
Kristen Telles/Storyful
His passing came just weeks before another alarming incident at Mammoth. On January 31, a 12-year-old girl was seen dangling from a ski lift before falling into the snow below, though she escaped with no serious injuries.
Mountain staff quickly worked to set up cushioning and safety nets below to break her fall, but she missed most of it and crashed to the ground.
Footage of the incident was first shared on Facebook by a bystander, who remarked, “I didn’t mean to post this, but I know many are debating the lift’s safety policies. Such measures are mandatory in Europe and should be here too.”
