A rare and harrowing incident recently occurred at Winter Park Ski Resort in Colorado, where a malfunction left 174 skiers stranded on the gondola for nearly five hours. The incident, described as a “once-in-a-lifetime” experience, unfolded when a crack was detected in the gondola’s infrastructure, prompting an automatic shutdown of the ski lift.
Skiers aboard the gondola were left suspended high in the air, with some recalling the uncertainty and confusion as they waited for rescue. “We were going up to do our first run, my wife and I, and we stopped,” said skier Aleksey Dmitriyev, describing the moment they realized something was amiss. “We stopped for about 15 minutes, and then we started thinking, maybe it’s unusual.” Dmitriyev explained that after contacting the resort’s help line, they were assured that if the delay lasted less than 20 minutes, there was no need to worry. However, as the wait stretched on, skiers began to see ski patrol personnel communicating with those on the gondola, which heightened concerns.
What followed was a coordinated rescue operation, which took nearly five hours to complete. Despite the long delay, Dmitriyev praised the professionalism and calm demeanor of the ski patrol, who ensured the safety of all those stranded. “Everybody was pretty calm, ski patrol was calm and professional and assured us,” he noted. The ski patrol’s response, though, didn’t prevent some apprehension, with Dmitriyev admitting they were a bit nervous. “It was kind of interesting because [the rescuer] kind of knew what he was doing, but we were a little bit concerned.”
Despite the inconvenience, Dmitriyev remained upbeat and continued his ski trip after the ordeal, even noting that the experience, while frustrating, was something he would never forget. “It was still an OK day but once-in-a-lifetime experience,” he said. Dmitriyev also captured footage of the dramatic rescue, showing the ski patrol sending down a seat for each individual to be lowered slowly back to safety.
The situation garnered widespread attention, especially on social media, where those involved in the incident shared their experiences. One skier wrote on Reddit, “I was one of the unlucky many stuck on the gondola. Took about 5 hours in total to get my feet back on the ground. Shout out to the patrollers working their asses off to get everyone down safely.” The resort, recognizing the inconvenience, offered patrons a $10 coupon as a gesture of goodwill and even followed up with complimentary day passes for the ordeal.
In addition to the personal accounts, many users expressed sympathy for the lift crews, who would have to deal with overtime and potentially extensive inspections of the lift towers. One Reddit commenter pointed out that the necessary non-destructive testing (NDT) could significantly reduce lift capacity and add to the burden on workers during the holiday season. “I really hope the mountain leadership does the right thing and brings in additional help to get all of the work done as quickly and safely as possible,” they said.
While the incident was a rare and unsettling event, it also highlighted the skill and professionalism of the Winter Park Ski Patrol. Despite the inconvenience caused, many involved seemed to appreciate the quick and safe resolution of the situation. Nonetheless, it serves as a reminder of the unpredictable challenges that even the most seasoned resorts can face, particularly during the busy ski season.
