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174 Skiers and Snowboarders Rescued After 5-Hour Operation at Winter Park Resort Following Lift Crack, No Injuries Reported

Dec 23, 2024, 07:59 AM

More than 170 skiers and snowboarders were rescued after a ski lift at Winter Park Resort in Colorado, located about 70 miles west of Denver, cracked, stranding them for several hours. The incident occurred when the gondola lift automatically stopped due to a detected crack in a structural piece just after noon on Saturday, according to resort spokesperson Jen Miller. The rescue operation, which took about five hours, involved ski patrollers entering each gondola from above, lowering equipment to the ground, and then using ropes with seats to safely bring down all 174 passengers. No injuries were reported during the evacuation, which took place at the start of the busy holiday ski season. Officials, along with state regulators and the lift's manufacturer, are investigating the cause of the crack. The resort continued operations with 21 other lifts open while the affected lift was closed for repairs.