A structural crack in a gondola lift at Colorado’s Winter Park Resort led to the evacuation of 174 skiers and snowboarders on Saturday, marking a rare and dramatic event at the popular ski destination.
The lift, located about 70 miles west of Denver, automatically halted operations shortly after detecting a crack in a key structural component, resort spokesperson Jen Miller confirmed. The incident occurred just after noon, interrupting the bustling start of the holiday ski season.
Winter Park’s ski patrol teams swiftly implemented their evacuation training to safely bring all stranded passengers to the ground. Rescuers accessed each gondola from above, first lowering passengers’ equipment and then using rope systems with attached seats to evacuate individuals one by one.
“Ski patrol has trained extensively for this,” Miller told the Colorado Sun Times. “It’s a very rare thing to have to evacuate a lift at all.”
No injuries were reported during the operation, which unfolded over several hours.
As of Sunday, crews were working to replace the damaged section of the gondola. Resort officials are collaborating with state regulators and the lift’s manufacturer to determine the cause of the structural crack. Despite the incident, Winter Park Resort remains operational, with 21 other lifts open to the public.
The malfunction has prompted heightened scrutiny of lift safety protocols as officials work to ensure such incidents remain rare. The quick response and extensive training of the ski patrol were instrumental in preventing injuries and ensuring the safety of all passengers.
This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of maintenance and rigorous safety measures in high-altitude recreational facilities.
No comments:
Post a Comment