174 Skiers Rescued After Winter Park Gondola Malfunction
A gondola malfunction at Winter Park Resort led to the rescue of 174 people on Saturday, as ski patrol and resort staff worked for hours to safely evacuate stranded guests. The incident began at 12:15 p.m., when the gondola system shut down due to a mechanical issue, as part of its safety protocols.
Rescue Efforts
The rescue operation started around 1 p.m. and concluded by 6 p.m., according to Jen Miller, Winter Park Resort’s public relations and communication manager. Ski patrol led the effort to bring down passengers who were suspended 30 to 50 feet in the air. Meanwhile, the resort utilized the Arrow and Gemini lifts to continue servicing the Winter Park base during repairs.
A Skier’s Perspective
Among those rescued was Aleksey Dmitriyev, a longtime skier who frequents Winter Park Resort with his wife. Dmitriyev shared his experience, explaining how they had just started their first run when the gondola unexpectedly stopped.
“We were stuck for about 15 minutes before realizing it might be unusual,” Dmitriyev said. After calling the resort’s help line, he noticed ski patrol arriving on the scene to begin assessing the situation.
Dmitriyev filmed the rescue process, which involved ski patrol calmly and professionally communicating with gondola occupants. A young child in Dmitriyev’s gondola remained calm throughout the ordeal, adding to the overall composure of the passengers.
“Ski patrol was well-prepared and reassuring,” Dmitriyev noted. “It was the first time I’ve seen the gondola break down here, and while we were a little concerned, they clearly knew what they were doing.”
Despite the interruption, Dmitriyev and his wife continued skiing later in the day using other lifts. “It was still an OK day, but definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” he added.
Ongoing Repairs and Inspections
The gondola remained closed on Sunday for repairs and inspections. Representatives from the Colorado Tramway Safety Board and the gondola’s manufacturer, Leitner Poma, arrived shortly after the malfunction to assist with repairs and conduct evaluations.
By 4 p.m. Sunday, Winter Park reported that a replacement part had been installed and testing would begin Monday. A thorough inspection by the safety board will be required before the gondola reopens to the public. The resort has not yet provided a timeline for when operations will fully resume.
Commitment to Safety
Winter Park Resort emphasized its commitment to guest safety, noting that the gondola’s automatic shutdown system functioned as designed to prevent potential harm. The resort is working closely with the safety board and gondola manufacturer to ensure all systems are thoroughly inspected and repaired before reopening.
For now, the resort is taking every precaution to prevent similar issues in the future, ensuring that visitors can continue to enjoy the slopes safely.
