A ski patroller at California's iconic Mammoth Mountain died after being crushed by an avalanche while he was working to make a ski route safer for visitors. 

Cole Murphy, 30, was fatally injured in the disaster at the Mammoth Lakes resort on Friday morning, while the popular ski destination was closed to the public. 

The seasoned ski enthusiast was performing avalanche mitigation work on Lincoln Mountain following a massive storm that left the resort covered in a thick layer of snow. 

But while he and another staffer were trying to prevent guests from being harmed by an avalanche, the pair were struck by a deadly influx of snow at around 7:30 am. 

Both patrollers were taken to a nearby hospital, according to Mammoth Mountain. Murphy, who was critically injured, was transported to another facility, where he later died. 

The other worker, whose identity has not been publicly released, remained at the first hospital and was treated for several broken bones. He underwent a successful surgery on Saturday and is in recovery.  

Mammoth Mountain was shut down from Friday until Sunday, with officials noting that the area had been slammed with five feet of snow since December 23. 

'We have received heavy snowfall and high winds over the last several days,' the resort shared online on Saturday. 

Ski patroller Cole Murphy, 30, died after being struck by an avalanche while trying to make the mountain safer for visitors

Lincoln Mountain is roughly 10,100 feet tall and is characterized by its challenging terrain

While confirming Murphy's death, Mammoth Mountain also posted a statement from his grieving family. 

His loved ones described him as kind, caring and devoted to his family and career. 

'The mountain was where Cole felt most alive. It was his place of purpose, his community and his second home,' the message reads. 

'Serving on ski patrol wasn't just a role for him - it was his calling.'

His relatives said that his partner, Hayley, was the 'center of Cole's heart' and that the pair often embarked on adventures together.

'Cole also held his family close, meeting life with an easy smile, a generous spirit and a warmth that drew people in wherever he went,' the statement reads. 

Mammoth Mountain was significantly impacted by an atmospheric river storm that hit regions across the Golden State last week.