Murphy was doing avalanche mitigation with a team of ski patrollers on Lincoln Mountain — a dome peak within the Mammoth Mountain ski area — when an avalanche broke loose in an area known as The Avy Chutes on Friday, Feb. 14. The accident occurred after approximately six feet of snow fell in 36 hours following a heavy Sierra snowstorm.

Claire Murphy was conducting "avalanche mitigation" work on Valentine's Day when she and a colleague were caught in an avalanche. Ski resort officials announced her death Saturday.

Mammoth Mountain officials said the slide occurred during avalanche mitigation work following a significant Sierra Nevada snowstorm, during which about six feet of snow fell in 36 hours.

Mammoth Mountain Ski Resort announced Friday that two patrol staff were caught in an avalanche on Lincoln Mountain. The event occurred during avalanche mitigation work, following the significant snowpack.