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Over the past weekend, three high wind lift incidents happened at ski resorts in the Northeastern United States, resulting in temporary closures and evacuations.
Stratton Mountain Resort, Vermont
On Sunday, February 18, strong winds caused significant damage to the upper terminal of the gondola at Stratton Mountain Resort in Vermont. The gusts tore off the terminal’s roof, necessitating the closure of the base-to-summit lift.
Repair crews promptly addressed the damage. As of February 21, the resort anticipated the gondola would resume operations by Saturday, with a possibility of reopening later today.
“Cabins are being put back on the line as we clean the workspace and run complete checks on the lift,” the resort stated. “We want to give a huge shoutout and thank you to Walker Industries and R. Reed Construction, Mountain Ops, Lift Maintenance, Grooming, and Ski Patrol for their teamwork over the past few days—assessing damages, facilitating deliveries, driving supplies up the mountain, and making this quick turnaround possible.”
Pats Peak Ski Area, New Hampshire
At approximately 2:00 PM on Monday, February 17, the Peak Triple chairlift at Pats Peak Ski Area in New Hampshire experienced a rope derailment due to strong winds. This incident led to the evacuation of over 120 passengers via rope rescue.
General Manager Kris Blomback described the event as a “freak of nature,” noting it was the first wind-related derailment in the ski area’s 64-year history.
“A lot of chairlifts with the same exposure, altitude, and profile were spinning in the state,” Blomback said. “Our weather station had winds sustained from the north, which is not normally a problem. The lift has seen that before and operated without issue.”
Nearby weather stations reported gusts exceeding 60 mph around the time of the incident, which Blomback believes contributed to the derailment.
He praised the resort’s response, stating, “The team was exceptional, and we had the majority [of the lift passengers] off in an hour, and the final handful of chairs took a bit longer.”
As of February 21, the Peak Triple chairlift has resumed operations.
Belleayre Mountain, New York
On the morning of February 19, strong winds caused a tree to fall onto the Belleayre Express lift at Belleayre Mountain in New York, resulting in damage to the lift. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
“The lift is currently closed while we assess the situation and determine necessary repairs. The safety of our guests and staff remains our top priority,” the resort shared in a statement.
Belleayre Mountain is collaborating with Doppelmayr to evaluate the damage and outline the required repairs. Currently, there is no estimated timeline for the lift’s return to operation.
These incidents highlight the challenges ski resorts face when contending with severe weather conditions, emphasizing the importance of safety and prompt response measures.
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