A gondola cabin fell at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort in Golden, B.C., on Monday, March 10, 2025, prompting the resort to shut down all lifts and close for the day. The incident occurred around 9:20 AM and resulted from the failure of the gondola arm, with social media posts indicating the cabin was carrying several passengers at the time. Eyewitnesses shared videos and images of the cabin lying on its side, approximately two to three meters below the track. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
According to the resort’s official statement, the patrol team and first responders were rapidly dispatched to the scene. “Our trained maintenance team is evacuates passengers as per standard operating procedure,” Kicking Horse Mountain Resort confirmed. The resort also noted the swift action taken by their first responders and maintenance team, who were prepared for such incidents.
“A full inspection has been initiated to determine and analyze root causes,” the statement continued. To assist with the investigation, teams from the gondola's manufacturer and relevant authorities have been called upon. The Golden Eagle Express gondola, the primary lift servicing much of the ski area, will remain closed until this thorough evaluation is completed.
This incident is particularly notable following the recent weather conditions affecting the region, with Kicking Horse receiving 23 centimeters of snowfall since March 9, 2025. Heavy snowfall can affect the operation and safety of ski lifts, so such incidents can raise questions about equipment integrity, especially right after significant weather changes.
The resort has temporarily closed its entire operation for the day, with no lifts open to the public. This decision was made to prioritize the safety of all guests and staff. Casual visitors and local residents are left awaiting updates on when operations will resume.
Previous incidents have raised caution among patrons and resort management alike. For example, back in 2016, Kicking Horse experienced another significant evacuation when 75 passengers were safely removed from the gondola due to power failure. The incident was handled swiftly, but it heightened awareness about the importance of safety protocols.
Visitors have taken to social media to express their concern and share information about the incident. Eyewitness reports describe the cabin as having fallen dramatically, leading to immediate action and concern from nearby guests. “It looked like it fell about ten feet near the loading terminal,” reported one eyewitness to CBC News, providing more contextual details to the event.
Despite the incident causing considerable disruption, the resort has assured the public it will provide updates as more information becomes available. With ski season still active, the Kicking Horse Mountain Resort's management team is focused not only on resolving the situation but ensuring customer safety is prioritized moving forward.
Kicking Horse Mountain Resort plans to release additional information later today about the inspection's findings and the possibility of reopening lifts as conditions are evaluated. Updates will be communicated through their official channels, ensuring patrons stay informed as this story develops.
Moving forward, the resort management hopes to reinforce safety measures and protocols to prevent such incidents from recurring. Patrons and professionals alike are eager to see how Kicking Horse responds to the findings of the inspections undertaken, which could lead to more stringent assessments of equipment integrity after heavy weather periods.
For now, the resort remains closed, and the focus is on ensuring the safety and comfort of all its guests during this unfortunate turn of events. Additional information will be posted on their website and social media platforms.