174 Skiers and Snowboarders Safely Rescued After Gondola Malfunction at Winter Park Resort

Dec 23, 2024, 07:01 AM

More than 170 skiers and snowboarders were rescued after a gondola malfunction at Winter Park Resort in Colorado, located about 70 miles west of Denver. The incident occurred when a crack was detected in a structural piece of the lift, causing it to automatically shut down just after noon on Saturday afternoon. The rescue operation, which took about five hours, involved ski patrollers rappelling from above to enter each gondola cabin, lowering passengers' equipment to the ground, and then using a rope with a seat to safely bring each of the 174 passengers down. No injuries were reported during the evacuation, which took place at the start of the busy holiday ski season. The affected lift remained closed on Sunday for repairs and inspections, with the resort's other 21 lifts continuing to operate.