WINTER PARK, Colo. (AP) — On Sunday, officials began an investigation into a crack that was found in a ski lift at Winter Park Resort, leading to the evacuation of more than 170 skiers and snowboarders who were stranded.
The incident occurred just after noon on Saturday when the gondola lift, located about 70 miles (113 kilometers) west of Denver, automatically halted after detecting a structural crack. Resort spokesperson Jen Miller explained that the gondolas were not able to function until the issue was addressed.
In a coordinated rescue effort that lasted approximately five hours, ski patrol members entered each gondola from above to assist those stranded. They first lowered the passengers’ ski equipment safely to the ground using ropes, then employed a specially designed seat on a rope system to lower the 174 individuals down to safety.
Fortunately, there were no reported injuries among those rescued, and the operation unfolded at the start of the busy holiday ski season, adding urgency to the situation. Meanwhile, work crews were busy replacing the cracked section of the lift on Sunday.
As state regulators and the ski lift’s manufacturer collaborated with resort officials to determine the cause of the crack, Winter Park Resort continued to operate 21 other lifts for ski-goers.
