ICYMI: 174 Skiers Left Stranded After Gondola Malfunction at Popular Colorado Resort
Stranded 150 feet in the air, 174 skiers and snowboarders were rescued in a dramatic operation after a gondola malfunction in Colorado. š #News #WinterParkCO #Colorado #Accident
WINTER PARK, CO – A routine day on the slopes turned into a rescue operation for 174 skiers and snowboarders at Winter Park Resort in Colorado. On Saturday, December 21, 2024, a malfunction with the gondola system forced officials to evacuate guests who were stranded high above the mountain. What could have been a disaster turned into a remarkable display of coordination as emergency crews worked for hours to bring everyone down safely.
Gondola Malfunctions and Immediate Response
The incident unfolded around 12:15 p.m. when the gondola system at Winter Park automatically stopped after detecting a crack in one of its structural components. The resort’s safety systems kicked in, halting the lift and alerting staff to the problem.
Within the hour, evacuation procedures began. Ski patrol teams worked tirelessly to lower the stranded passengers one by one, using ropes and special equipment designed for such emergencies.
Hours of Rescue Operations
The evacuation took nearly five hours. Resort staff managed to lower the majority of skiers by 5 p.m. But, as daylight waned, it took a bit longer to evacuate the last few gondola cabins.
The process was carried out with careful precision, as ski patrol members accessed each gondola, lowered passengersā equipment, and then used a seat-equipped rope system to safely lower them to the ground.
By 6 p.m., everyone was off the gondola and back on solid ground. Remarkably, there were no reported injuries during the operation.
Compensation and Resort Response
In the wake of the incident, Winter Park Resort offered guests a $10 voucher and two lift passes to use this season or next. The damaged gondola was being repaired, with replacement parts installed the following day.
Though the malfunction disrupted the dayās skiing, the resortās other 21 lifts continued to operate normally, allowing other guests to enjoy the slopes.
The cause of the gondola malfunction is still under investigation. State regulators and the manufacturer are working with resort officials to determine what led to the crack in the liftās structure. While officials continue their inquiry, Winter Park Resort remains focused on ensuring future safety for its guests.
RELATED TOPICS: Accidents | Colorado
Editor’s note: Photo used for illustrative purposes only and do not depict the actual subject.
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