Winter Park Resort faced a challenging situation as its gondola malfunctioned, prompting the urgent evacuation of 182 skiers and snowboarders on Saturday, December 21, 2024. The incident unfolded around 12:15 p.m., when the gondola system detected and responded to a significant mechanical issue, causing the lift to shut down automatically. Fortunately, thanks to the diligent efforts of ski patrol personnel, all trapped individuals were safely brought to the ground, with no injuries reported.
Among those affected was Aleksey Dmitriyev, a longtime skier who frequents Winter Park. He and his wife found themselves suspended in their gondola cabin for over five hours. "It was pretty unnerving at first; we were stuck for about 15 minutes before we realized something was definitely wrong," he recounted. Dmitriyev quickly reached out to the resort's service line, where ski patrol assured him they were coordinating evacuation procedures.
According to sources at the resort, the malfunction originated from a crack found on one of the gondola's metal support structures. This led to significant operational challenges, as ski patrol members had to manually lower each trapped skier and snowboarder using ropes and other equipment. Colin Karge, part of the Black Hawk Ski Patrol team, explained, "Every chairlift’s different. The gondola presents its own challenges because we have to descend the haul rope to every cabin and then help get everyone out carefully." The evacuation process began at 1 p.m. and continued until nearly 6 p.m., as the sun began to set, complicate the rescue operation.
A video from the scene showed ski patrol staff diligently preparing to lower those stranded safely to the ground. "A pretty large crew jumped to action for the direct rescue," Karge said. He expressed gratitude to both seasoned and newer patrol members who stepped up during the emergency, emphasizing how individual responsibilities are ingrained through rigorous training. "You want to have lift evacuation as muscle memory, and we practice for this even though we rarely encounter these situations," he stated.
The resort’s spokesperson, Jenn Miller, praised the ski patrol’s swift response, noting the team had to evacuate 174 guests within the timeframe to avoid complications from the falling temperatures as darkness descended. "We had some first-year patrolers come in on their day off just to help run the mountain," she mentioned as they managed the entire operation under pressure.
After the evacuation, winter sports enthusiasts could only wait as the resort took immediate steps to troubleshoot the mechanical issue. The Colorado Passenger Tramway Safety Board (CPTSB) conducted follow-up inspections, and Jen Miller reassured guests by stating, "We’ve replaced the failed components, and with rigorous testing, we expect to resume operation soon.” The gondola has regular inspections three times per year, with the last conducted just two months prior.
During the incident, the social media highlight of the day was captured through posts showing the cracked support structure and various scenes of the rescue. One user posted, "Rough situation for everyone," alongside photographs demonstrating the damage. These images spurred concern across the community, prompting the CPTSB to reach out to other nearby ski resorts to prevent similar occurrences. Thankfully, no additional issues were found at those locations.
Winter Park Resort is known for its breathtaking slopes, drawing visitors from all over. This unexpected snag at the onset of the holiday season was not what the resort had planned. "It's not something anyone wants — we don’t want it, and the passengers don't want it. Everyone would much rather be out enjoying the slopes," Miller reflected on the incident.
To alleviate the inconveniences faced by evacuated guests, Winter Park Resort issued vouchers for two days of lift tickets to be used within the season or the following year. This gesture highlights the resort's commitment to customer care during unforeseen events, ensuring guests still leave with positive memories.
While the gondola remains out of service as of Sunday, December 22, preparation builds toward reopening. The installation of new parts has already taken place, and officials express optimism for resuming operations on Monday, December 23, after thorough checking, though no specific time was confirmed. The resort continues to urge visitors for updates and remains vigilant to restore the optimal skiing experience back to its guests.
