A gondola carrying eight people fell from its cable at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort in British Columbia at 9:20 a.m. on March 10. Fortunately, the cabin had just left the base terminal and was not very high off the ground when it dislodged. Ski patrol and first responders quickly arrived at the scene, and no serious injuries have been reported.
- Kicking Horse gondola incident occurred March 10
- No serious injuries reported from the fall
- Investigation initiated to determine root causes
- Golden Eagle Express is the main lift
- Similar incidents reported at other resorts
- Locals concerned about season impact
The incident involved the Golden Eagle Express gondola, which is the primary lift at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort. It provides access to the upper mountain terrain, including five alpine bowls and hike-to areas. The gondola, built in 2000, is one of the continent’s longest and highest, measuring 3,500 feet. The resort has announced that it will remain closed while an investigation is conducted.
According to reports, a hangar arm, which connects the gondola carrier to the main cable, sheared off, leading to the fall. This incident occurred after a storm that dropped nearly 10 inches of snow, making it a busy day for skiers. The resort’s management has stated that teams from the gondola manufacturer and relevant authorities are assisting in the investigation.
This incident follows a series of ski lift accidents this season, including malfunctions leading to mid-air evacuations at several ski resorts in the united states. Locals are concerned about the impact this closure will have on the ski season, especially since a similar issue occurred at another resort owned by Resorts of the Canadian Rockies, which took a significant time to resolve.
The gondola incident at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort highlights the importance of safety protocols in ski operations. As investigations continue, the resort will keep the gondola closed, affecting access to the mountain until further notice.
