Over 170 skiers and snowboarders were rescued at Winter Park Resort on Saturday after a gondola malfunction left them stranded mid-air for several hours. The incident, which occurred just before noon, saw 174 passengers evacuate the gondola due to the automatic safety mechanisms kicking in after detecting a crack in the lift's structure.
According to resort spokesperson Jen Miller, the gondola malfunction was reported around 12:15 p.m., and staff were immediately alerted. The gondola shut down as intended for safety reasons, prompting the resort's ski patrol to begin rescue efforts at approximately 1 p.m. The majority of those stranded were safely on the ground by 5 p.m., with final evacuations completed by 6 p.m.
"The gondola did what it was supposed to do; it stopped automatically when the crack was detected," Miller stated. The malfunction came at the start of Colorado's busy holiday ski season, when ski resorts typically see record numbers of visitors. The resort is situated around 70 miles west of Denver and is the closest major ski area for many visitors from the city.
The rescue operation involved ski patrol personnel entering each gondola cabin from above using ropes, followed by the deployment of devices equipped with seats to lower each passenger safely to the ground. Remarkably, no injuries were reported during this demanding five-hour rescue, underscoring the ski patrol's preparedness for such emergencies.
Aleksey Dmitriyev, one of the skiers rescued, shared his experience: "We were going up to do our first run, and we stopped. After about 15 minutes, we started to think it might be unusual. I called the resort line, and they told me if it was less than 20 minutes, not to worry. But as time passed, we saw ski patrol coming down and communicating with us." Dmitriyev noted the calmness of everyone involved, including nearby children, highlighting the professionalism of the ski patrol team.
After the incident, Winter Park Resort distributed $10 vouchers and two lift passes to each affected guest as compensation for the ordeal. Dmitriyev, who is an avid skier visiting Winter Park around 15 times each season, described this incident as "a once-in-a-lifetime experience."
Winter Park Resort’s management is currently collaborating with the Colorado Passenger Tramway Safety Board and the gondola's manufacturer, Leitner Poma, to investigate the cause of the malfunction and to monitor the repairs. By late Sunday, staff confirmed they had replaced the damaged part of the gondola, and thorough testing would occur before it reopened.
The malfunctioning gondola is relatively new, having opened around Christmas of 2018. Miller explained, "This was the first time it had broken down. Ski patrol has trained extensively for such scenarios, and their quick response ensured everyone’s safety." Meanwhile, the resort continued operating 21 other lifts on Saturday, allowing guests access to the slopes.
Ski resorts like Winter Park are significant economic drivers for Colorado, contributing to the state’s projected 14 million skier visits for the 2023-2024 season. This incident not only raises questions about safety and operational standards at ski resorts but also highlights the importance of preparedness for unusual situations, especially during peak visitor seasons.
Looking forward, it remains to be seen how the resort will address safety measures and operational efficiency. Although the gondola’s reopening date has yet to be confirmed, the team at Winter Park Resort reassured all guests involved of their commitment to safety and excellence, asserting they would open the gondola as soon as possible following safe testing and observations.
"We are committed to ensuring the safety of our guests and will continue to work closely with state regulators and our equipment manufacturer to prevent any similar incidents in the future," remarked Miller, underlining the resort's dedication to safety above all.
