174 Skiers and Snowboarders Safely Evacuated from Winter Park Resort After Lift Malfunction

Dec 22, 2024, 10:58 PM

A malfunctioning ski lift at Winter Park Resort in Colorado led to the evacuation of 174 skiers and snowboarders on Saturday. The incident occurred when a crack was detected in a structural piece of the gondola lift just after noon, prompting an automatic shutdown. Resort spokesperson Jen Miller reported that the evacuation process, which involved rappelling individuals down by rope, took about five hours. No injuries were reported during the rescue operation, which took place at the start of the busy holiday ski season. The resort's ski patrol staff, trained for such emergencies, managed the evacuation. All guests affected by the incident were given a $10 voucher and two lift passes for this year or next. The malfunctioned part of the lift was being replaced on Sunday, with state regulators and the lift's manufacturer assisting in an investigation into the cause of the crack. Winter Park Resort, located about 70 miles west of Denver, continued operations with 21 other lifts open.