In a swift response to an unexpected mechanical fault, over 170 skiers and snowboarders were safely evacuated from a stalled lift at Winter Park Resort, Colorado.
On Saturday, a structural crack in a ski lift at Winter Park Resort, located around 70 miles west of Denver, led to a significant rescue operation. The issue was detected by the gondola lift’s automatic systems shortly after midday, prompting the cessation of operations to ensure passenger safety. Jen Miller, a spokesperson for the resort, reported that the evacuation process spanned approximately five hours, involving ski patrol teams meticulously lowering each occupant to safety using ropes.
During this high-stakes operation, no injuries were recorded, attributing to the well-coordinated efforts of the rescue teams. Patrol members entered each gondola cabin from above, carefully managing passengers’ equipment before descending each of the 174 individuals to the ground using a specially equipped rope seat.
The incident, occurring at the commencement of the busy holiday skiing period, highlights the imperatives of safety and preparedness in such high-altitude recreational areas. Resort officials were promptly engaged in replacing the compromised section of the lift, with state regulators and the lift’s manufacturer collaborating to investigate the underlying cause of the crack.
As of Sunday, while the affected lift remained out of service, the resort’s operations continued with 21 other lifts available for use by visitors, ensuring minimal disruption to the ski experience. This situation underscores the importance of swift action and the robustness of safety systems in place to handle emergencies in skiing resorts.
The prompt and effective response by Winter Park Resort to the lift malfunction ensured that all skiers and snowboarders were safely evacuated without injury, demonstrating the critical importance of safety measures and regular maintenance in recreational facilities.
Source: News4jax
