A malfunction at the Winter Park Resort led to the dramatic rescue of 174 skiers and snowboarders stranded for hours on Saturday. The incident unfolded around noon when the gondola lift, located about 70 miles west of Denver, automatically stopped upon detecting a crack in one of its structural components, as reported by resort spokesperson Jen Miller.
Ski patrols quickly springing to action, began evacuations within the hour. Four hours later, the rescue operations were completed without any injuries reported. "Ski patrol has trained extensively for this," Miller noted, underscoring the team's preparedness for such emergency scenarios. The gondola had been at the start of Colorado's busy holiday ski season when disaster struck.
During the rescue, ski patrollers entered the gondola cabins from above to lower the passengers' ski equipment to safety before carefully hoisting the riders down one by one. To accomplish this, ski patrol members used ropes equipped with seats, making the process more secure and manageable. Taylor Scotland, one of the passengers, described her experience as anxiety-inducing but praised the ski patrol's support. "You have to push yourself around, so you don’t get hit," Scotland recalled, explaining how she was instructed to maneuver as she descended.
Alexey Dmitriev, another rider whose TikTok videos captured the rescue process, showcased the detailed coordination and care provided by the ski patrol, including ensuring riders were prepared for their descent. "We're gonna send the seat up," could be heard from one of the ski patrol members during the rescue, demonstrating their commitment to maintaining calm and safety amid the chaos.
The gondola lift, operational since Christmas 2018, has been recognized as one of the highest-capacity lifts in the country. Miller explained, "A gondola is an enclosed ski lift. They're cabins, so you get on without skis, walk on, carry your skis, and put your skis on at the top." Following the incident, the resort is working with the lift's manufacturer, Leitner-Poma, and the Colorado Passenger Tramway Safety Board to investigate the cause of the malfunction.
Investigators immediately began examining the site, with state officials and the gondola's management collaborating on the probe. While no injuries were reported, the gravity of the situation was not lost on the resort staff, who had prepared for such emergencies throughout the ski season.
This unusual malfunction occurred as the management was expecting significant crowds due to the holiday season, and the resort had to assure its guests of their safety. Offering goodwill gestures, the resort provided vouchers and lift passes to those affected as part of its effort to manage the fallout from the incident.
Following the incident, resort officials confirmed they would replace the cracked section of the lift. "A broken piece of one of the towers has been removed and is being repaired... pending evaluation and test results, The Gondola will open as soon as possible to the public," Winter Park Resort stated, reflecting their commitment to guest safety and confidence as they move forward.
The Colorado Tramway Safety Board has previously examined ski lifts and granted licenses, enabling the gondola to operate without issues at the season's start. Meanwhile, all other lifts at Winter Park remained operational during the evacuation, ensuring guests still enjoyed access to skiing facilities.
The quick response by the ski patrol and the resort's communication with regulators has drawn recognition, but the incident stands as a reminder of the importance of rigorous safety protocols at recreational facilities. "We’ve followed protocol, and it was one of those failures we couldn't have predicted," Miller concluded.
Overall, the Winter Park Resort gondola rescue highlights both the unpredictability of ski resort operations and the importance of preparedness for emergencies, particularly during peak seasons.
