A routine ski day turned into an hours-long rescue operation when a structural crack in a ski lift at Winter Park Resort, located in Colorado's Rocky Mountains, left 174 skiers and snowboarders stranded. The incident occurred on Saturday and required the resort's trained ski patrol team to lower stranded passengers to safety.
What Happened
The ski lift, a gondola system installed in late 2018, automatically stopped after sensors detected a crack in one of its structural components. The safety mechanisms in place worked as designed, halting the lift to prevent further damage or risk to passengers.
While there were no injuries reported, the sudden stop left passengers suspended in the air, some for up to five hours. Resort officials acted promptly to ensure the safety of everyone affected.
The Rescue Operation
The rescue began immediately after the issue was detected, and the process took around five hours to complete.
How it was done: Ski patrol members accessed each gondola cabin from above, lowered personal equipment to the ground, and used a rope system with a seat to safely bring passengers down one at a time.
Timeline: The operation started shortly after the lift stopped and concluded around 6 p.m. local time.
Resort spokesperson Jen Miller praised the resort's response team, emphasizing their preparedness for situations like this. “Our teams are trained for these types of scenarios,” she said.
No Injuries Reported
Despite the unexpected ordeal, no one was injured. This outcome highlights the effectiveness of the resort’s emergency protocols.
What Caused the Crack?
The exact cause of the crack is still under investigation. Resort officials began repairs on Sunday but have not yet determined how long the lift will remain out of service.
Impact on the gondola: The affected gondola, a prominent part of Winter Park Resort’s lift system, has been operational since December 2018. This incident marks the first time it has had to be evacuated.
Repairs and timeline: “It’s not an overnight fix,” Miller explained, adding that the repair timeline remains unclear.
Resort Operations Continue
Despite the incident, Winter Park Resort maintained operations with 21 other lifts running as usual. While the gondola is a key feature of the resort, visitors have alternative options for accessing the slopes.
Safety Measures and Preparedness
This event highlights the importance of safety systems and staff training in ski resorts. The gondola’s sensors acted as an early detection system, automatically stopping operations when a structural issue arose. Additionally, the ski patrol’s expertise in safely evacuating passengers demonstrated the value of rigorous training for such scenarios.
What’s Next?
The resort is focused on repairing the damaged lift and preventing future issues. Although the incident caused an inconvenience for affected skiers, it underscored the effectiveness of Winter Park Resort’s safety measures and emergency response protocols. For now, skiers and snowboarders can continue to enjoy Winter Park’s other lifts and terrain while repairs on the gondola are underway.
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