An unexpected power outage on Monday night left hundreds stranded atop Sulphur Mountain in Banff National Park, AB, leading to an hours-long rescue operation that involved both helicopter evacuations and nocturnal hikes.
The gondola, a popular tourist attraction operated by Pursuit, ceased operations after a lightning storm resulted in a power failure around the town of Banff. The exact number of those affected remains undisclosed but is estimated to be several hundred, according to Tanya Otis, spokesperson for Pursuit.
Helicopters were dispatched Tuesday morning to aid in evacuations while the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) monitored the situation closely. Parks Canada, in a statement to Global News, confirmed, “The safety of those impacted is our top priority.”
Visitors caught in the incident had varied experiences. Sean Nicholson, a tourist from the UK, recounted the moment the Above Banff Interpretive Centre lost power. “At the time, it was quite exciting,” Nicholson told QR Calgary, “But they just couldn’t get it started again for some reason.” Nicholson and his family, along with approximately 80 others, descended the mountain around 2:30 a.m. with the help of rescue teams.
Conditions for the descent were challenging, with darkness, rain, and slippery paths. Nicholson highlighted one injury, stating, “Someone twisted their ankle.” Despite initial apprehensions of encountering bears, Nicholson humorously noted that bears likely wouldn’t be interested in such a large group.
Those aboard the gondola at the time of the outage were swiftly evacuated using backup generators. The remainder, stranded at the interpretive center, were given the option to hike down or wait for daylight rescues. The interpretive center provided stranded guests with food, drinks, and emergency blankets as temperatures dipped to a chilly 46 degrees Fahrenheit.
Pursuit has since confirmed that the gondola resumed operations by 4 p.m. on Tuesday. This incident marked the first shutdown of its kind in the gondola’s 20-year operation. In a gesture of goodwill, the company announced it will reimburse affected guests.
8,041 foot Sulphur Mountain is situated within Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada. It derives its name from the hot springs located on its lower slopes. The mountain can be accessed via the Banff Gondola, leading to the summit ridge. There, visitors can find observation decks and a boardwalk that connects to the Cosmic Ray Station, recognized as a National Historic Site of Canada. This location is notable for its blend of geographic importance and historical value.
