Industry News
[Updated 5:38 p.m. EST on Monday, December 23]
On Monday, December 23, around 10:00 a.m., a chairlift malfunctioned on the Nevada side of Heavenly Ski Resort, Lake Tahoe, causing five passengers to fall from the lift. It is reported that one chair on Comet Express rolled backward into another, jolting the people on the front chair off. Also, a passenger on the back chair was left sandwiched between the two chairs before being evacuated.
“Heavenly Mountain Resort can confirm an incident occurred on its Comet Express chairlift today, Monday, December 23, 2024. The safety of our guests is our top priority, and the resort is investigating the incident,” Cole Zimmerman, Communications Manager, Heavenly Mountain Resort said in an email to SnowBrains.
Ski patrol was quick on the scene, addressing the injured individuals, getting patients help, and escorting them off the mountain. An eye witness reported that four people left in toboggans, one of which was on oxygen, and at least one Life Flight helicopter was seen arriving and leaving the mountain, likely transporting patients to nearby Renown in Reno, Nevada. Maintenance workers are addressing the issue to find out what caused this malfunction, and it’s possible that the ice on the cables caused the slip and roll. The lift is expected to remain closed for the remainder of the day until an update is provided.
- Related: [PHOTOS] Over 150 People Evacuated from Winter Park, CO, Gondola After Operational Malfunction
Comet Express is a high-speed detachable quad dating back to 1988 and serves as one of the two main high-elevation lifts on the Nevada side of the ski resort. Unfortunately, over the many years of operation, it has had frequent issues that result in constant repairs and maintenance and lengthy stops for visitors who ride the chairlift often. Last season, Heavenly had significant issues with its gondola, which caused it to close for an extended period during the holidays.
With the recent scare at Winter Park involving the evacuation of over 150 people from the Gondola, the chair falling to the ground at Montana Snowbowl, and now this incident at Heavenly, it has been an unimaginable start to the season in terms of incidents.
Stay tuned for updates regarding this developing story.
The safety bar is there for a reason. Many choose not to lower it.