Avalanche Halts Ski Lift Operations at Mammoth Mountain
Eight people were caught in the avalanche, but were able to free themselves.
By Rudy Chinchilla ••
Eight people were caught in an avalanche at the popular Southern California ski resort Mammoth Mountain Saturday, a spokesperson confirmed.
The avalanche happened around 10:15 a.m. in a closed area on the Climax ski run as members of the Mammoth Mountain Ski Patrol were performing avalanche mitigation work, Mammoth Mountain Ski Area spokesperson Lauren Burke said in a news release.
The avalanche traveled down the mountain to the bottom lift terminal known as Chair 5 in the High Five Express area.
The powder cloud from the avalanche extended about 100 meters into an area open to the public, the resort spokesperson said.
Two guests were partially caught, the company said. Eight employees were caught in the avalanche and suffered minor injuries, according to the company's statement. The employees were able to free themselves.
A massive search effort was launched over six hours, using approximately 200 people, according to the resort.
The searchers included employees, first responders and guests.
Avalanche dogs were used along with a manual probe search.
Doug Leja
Yucaipa Snow
Jonathan Gonzalez/KNBC-TV
A starry night view from Big Bear early Friday March 2, 2018.
Carmelita Grace Seeber
Acton, California
Jonathan Gonzalez, KNBC-TV
A view from Snow Summit Friday March 2, 2018.
Doug Leja
The winter wonderland view in Yucaipa Tuesday Feb. 27, 2018.
valery tozer
A snow angel in Julian, California.
Joyce Miller
A view from Twin Peaks, California.
dvdbrrtt
Snow in Apple Valley is pictured Monday Feb. 26, 2018.
Toni Guinyard/KNBC-TV
A view of the 5 Freeway north of Los Angeles Tuesday Feb. 27, 2018.
Toni Guinyard/KNBC-TV
Snow swirls along the 5 Freeway north of Los Angeles Tuesday Feb. 27, 2018.
Toni Guinyard/KNBC-TV
Jonathan Gonzalez
Toni Guinyard/KNBC-TV
A dusting of snow is seen alongside the 5 Freeway Friday Feb. 23, 2018 north of Los Angeles.
Jonathan Gonzalez/KNBC-TV
Snow falls Friday Feb. 23, 2018 in the Big Bear area.
Jonathan Gonzalez
Jonathan Gonzalez/KNBC-TV
Snow falls on a NBC4 news van Friday Feb. 23, 2018 in the Big Bear area.
Joel Cooke
Joel Cooke
Rene Luna
Joyce Miller
A view from Twin Peaks in San Bernardino County on Friday Feb. 23, 2018.
John
A light dusting of snow near Laguna Mountain Lodge.
Jonathan Gonzalez
Alex Vasquez, KNBC-TV
Alex Vasquez, KNBC-TV
Alex Vasquez, KNBC-TV
Alex Vasquez, KNBC-TV
Jonathan Gonzalez, KNBC-TV
Jonathan Gonzalez, KNBC-TV
Lift operations on the mountain were halted for the rest of the day.
Nobody has been reported missing, but anyone who thinks a friend or family member might be missing is asked to call 760-934-0611.
The resort will resume normal operations on Sunday.
