ABC News - Dramatic Colorado ski slope rescue
A gondola malfunction at Winter Park Resort in Colorado left 174 skiers and snowboarders stranded midair for several hours. Rescuers used ropes and ladders to safely evacuate the individuals. The incident occurred when a piece of metal in the gondola system cracked, causing the lift to shut down. This was the first evacuation since the gondola's opening six years ago. The resort has 75 cabins capable of transporting up to 3,600 skiers per hour. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and the resort is currently closed while awaiting a replacement part for the gondola system.
Key Points:
- 174 skiers stranded due to gondola malfunction at Winter Park Resort.
- Rescue operation lasted six hours using ropes and ladders.
- No injuries were reported during the incident.
- The gondola system has 75 cabins, carrying up to 3,600 skiers per hour.
- The resort is closed pending a replacement part for the gondola.
Details:
1. 🎿 Dramatic Ski Slope Rescue
- Rescuers used ropes and ladders to save over 150 people trapped on a ski lift.
- The incident occurred on a Colorado ski slope, highlighting the importance of emergency preparedness in ski resorts.
- The ski lift malfunction was due to a mechanical failure, which halted operations for several hours.
- The rescue operation lasted approximately 3 hours, with no reported injuries.
- Emergency protocols were effectively implemented, showcasing the ski resort's preparedness for such incidents.
2. 🚠 Gondola Malfunction Strands Skiers
- A gondola malfunction at a popular ski resort led to the evacuation of 174 skiers and snowboarders, who were left stranded and suspended in midair.
- The incident required emergency evacuation procedures, highlighting the need for efficient crisis management and safety protocols.
- The resort responded by implementing immediate safety checks and reviewing their emergency response strategies to prevent future occurrences.
3. 🧗♂️ Rescuers in Action
- Rescuers were actively hoisting skiers out of a gondola using ropes for several hours after it shut down at noon on Saturday.
- The gondola shutdown was due to a mechanical failure, affecting approximately 100 skiers who were stranded.
- The rescue operation was successful, with all skiers safely evacuated without injuries.
- This incident highlights the importance of having well-trained rescue teams and efficient emergency protocols in place at ski resorts.
4. 🔧 Investigating the Malfunction
- Rescue operations lasted for 6 hours, indicating a significant response time to the malfunction, which suggests the need for improved emergency protocols.
- A photo posted online showed a cracked piece of metal, identified as part of the malfunction, highlighting the importance of regular maintenance checks to prevent such issues.
- The exact cause of the failure is still unknown, suggesting a need for thorough investigation and analysis to prevent recurrence.
- The faulty part has been removed and replaced, demonstrating immediate corrective action to prevent future incidents and ensure safety.
5. 🏔️ Gondola's History and Capacity
- The gondola has been in operation for 6 years without any evacuations until now, indicating a strong safety record.
- Winter Park Resort's gondola consists of 75 cabins, allowing for significant passenger capacity.
- The gondola can transport up to 3600 skiers per hour, showcasing its efficiency in handling large volumes of visitors.
- The gondola takes riders up to an elevation of about 10,000 feet, providing access to high-altitude skiing.
6. 🔄 Recovery and Future Plans
- No injuries were reported during the incident, ensuring safety was maintained.
- The lift is currently closed with no clear reopening date, indicating ongoing recovery efforts.
- Winter Park has ordered a replacement part, which is on its way, showing proactive steps towards resolution.