Every soul recreating in the mountains has faced some degree of anxiety before when it comes to their alpine passions. It is part of the draw. That moment when nervous anticipation pivots into a rush of adrenaline? It is addictive. We accept certain risks in these environments: avalanches, tree wells, collisions, serious falls—dangers inherent in charging down steep snow-covered terrain in all kinds of wind and weather. But there is another fear, a quieter one, that bubbles under the surface during the slow ride up and across rocky peaks, suspended by a wire. What if the lift fails?
It is not an entirely irrational fear; it’s more like a fear of flying, a sense of vulnerability that transcends the data. The truth in the numbers is this: aerial lift accidents, especially those caused by mechanical failure, are exceedingly rare. Lift injuries are most often human-caused. But when mechanical malfunctions happen, they dominate the headlines. Often sensationalized and fueled by social media, these are the stories that linger.
Statistics for 2024-25 are incomplete because the North American ski season is still ongoing. Industry meetings, where data is disclosed and made public, generally take place from late April to the end of May. Data notwithstanding, there appears to have been an increase in lift-related accidents caused by mechanical failure over the long winter and it is a key point of discussion across the industry for critical reasons. While some incidents resulted in serious injuries, others led to large-scale evacuations, with skiers and riders suspended for hours before being rescued.
There are visible patterns, mainly related to aging equipment. However, aerial lift failures in 2024-25 have largely occurred across the industry and around the world, and are not tied to a single ski area, resort company, or lift manufacturer. A closer look at specific lift malfunctions may offer critical insight into infrastructure, operations, maintenance, and mountain safety culture.
Major Lift Malfunctions
Mont Sainte-Anne, Québec, March 2024
The first lift incident in Canada to make headlines in 2024 happened last spring at Mont Sainte-Anne, a popular resort near Quebec City. A mechanical failure on the Express du Sud detachable quad caused several chairs to collide, prompting an emergency stop. Gratefully, there were no serious injuries reported, but footage of the chaotic event went viral on social media.
In the aftermath, Resorts of the Canadian Rockies (RCR), who operate the resort, faced scrutiny over its aging lift infrastructure. Notably, four years earlier, a gondola cabin detached and crashed to the ground at the ski area, triggering a full-system inspection. Mont Sainte-Anne is recognized as a world-class resort, but persistent problems had to be addressed to restore public confidence. In December 2024, the resort announced a $100 million infrastructure upgrade in partnership with the Government of Québec.
Montana Snowbowl, Montana, December 2024
On December 16, a chair fell from Montana Snowbowl’s LaVelle Creek lift near the lower terminal. An empty chair hit the operator, causing it to swing wildly and become dislodged from the line. Fortunately, no one was injured, and the lift resumed operations the same day following an internal inspection.
Snowbowl has faced scrutiny in recent years for other high-profile incidents. A serious accident occured in 2023 when the Snow Park lift struck a tower and broke apart while carrying a father and young child. In response, the U.S. Forest Service issued a stop order on the Snow Park lift and required Montana Snowbowl to “improve maintenance protocols, staff training, and inspection procedures.”
Winter Park Resort, Colorado, December 2024
On December 21, a tower component failure occurred on the gondola at Winter Park Resort, triggering an automatic safety shut-off and necessitating a five-hour rope evacuation of stranded skiers and riders. The ski patrol promptly and meticulously managed the evacuation process. Constructed in 2018 by Leitner-Poma, the gondola operates year-round and transports up to ten passengers in each of its 75 cabins. Images of the incident showed a severely cracked rocker arm, a mechanical linkage used on high-speed lifts to help guide and push the cabins or chairs smoothly out of the terminal and accelerate them to line speed.
Given the lift’s relatively recent construction, a crack caused by fatigue seems unlikely. Extreme weather fluctuations may have contributed to the part’s failure. According to state regulators, the gondola undergoes three inspections annually, with the most recent inspection prior to the incident completed in October 2024. A replacement part was ordered, and the Colorado Tramway Safety Board performed a full-scale inspection, authorizing the reopening of the gondola two days later.
Heavenly Mountain Resort, California, December 2024
On December 23, a grip on Heavenly’s Comet Express lift malfunctioned, causing one chair to slide back into another. Three people on the sliding chair fell approximately 24 feet. A fourth jumped. A rider on the impacted chair also fell, while another was pinned but safely unloaded by reversing the lift.
The Forest Service was notified, and representatives from USFS, lift manufacturer Doppelmayr, and Vail Resorts conducted separate reviews. The resort implemented a new grip quality assurance plan and updated its procedures for similar lifts. The Forest Service emphasized strict compliance with manufacturer-issued bulletins, and the Comet Express was cleared for service, reopening on December 30.
Telluride Ski Resort, Colorado, December 2024
On Christmas Eve, a mechanical failure on the gondola at Telluride led to a partial evacuation. 65 passengers were rescued from chairlifts and five from a gondola cabin, while 16 others remained aboard until the lift resumed. No injuries were reported. The ski patrol’s swift and efficient response was noted by observers and authorities.
The incident, reported to the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies the following morning, was attributed to the busing on the power take-off (PTO) belt pulley at the return terminal. The PTO pulley is part of the backup drive system, allowing the lift to run on auxiliary power if the main drive fails. The Colorado Passenger Tramway Safety Board identified the cause of the failure as “fatigue.”
Astún Ski Resort, Spain, January 2025
A mechanical malfunction at Astún ski resort in the Spanish Pyrenees resulted in injuries to 20 guests when the haul rope on the Canal Roya lift broke. The incident prompted a coordinated emergency response, with rescuers using ladders to evacuate skiers and riders.
Videos of the horrifying event have raised concerns about the safety of aging lift infrastructure in the region. Authorities traced the failure to the return pulley system, however, the exact cause is still under investigation. The lift’s age and maintenance records are being considered as possible contributing factors.
Attitash Mountain Village, New Hampshire, February 2025
On February 2, a chair detached from the Flying Bear lift at the Attitash resort, causing one rider to fall approximately 20 feet. The rider sustained a lower back injury and was transported by ambulance. As a result, the lift was closed for the day.
The Flying Bear is a detachable quad lift manufactured by Doppelmayr in 1995, equipped with DT-104 grips. It spans nearly a mile and consists of 82 chairs and 17 towers. The New Hampshire State Fire Marshal’s Office and the Passenger Tramway Safety Board, along with Doppelmayr and Attitash, launched a joint investigation. The Fire Marshal’s Office identified mechanical failure as the probable cause. Attitash, owned by Vail Resorts, had been searching for experienced lift mechanics prior to the incident.
Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, British Columbia, March 2025
On the morning of March 10, a gondola cabin on the Golden Eagle Express fell to the ground shortly after departing the base station with eight passengers aboard. Resorts of the Canadian Rockies, the resort’s operator, reported that a hanger broke as the cabin was leaving the terminal, resulting in a drop of approximately three meters. Despite the cabin being fully occupied, only minor injuries were reported, and ski patrol responded promptly.
The incident took place on a busy powder day, attracting significant attention from guests and bystanders. Numerous images of the cabin lying sideways in the snow circulated online. Technical Safety BC, an independent, self-funded organization that oversees the safe installation and operation of technical systems and equipment, including gondolas, is investigation the incident:
“Technical Safety BC is investigating the incident that occurred at Kicking Horse Ski Resort in Golden, B.C., involving a gondola cabin that fell from the lift line as it was leaving the loading station on March 10, 2025. The gondola remains shut down and our team is working closely with the operator. More details will be available once the investigation is complete.”
Red Lodge Mountain, Montana, March 2025
On the same day as the incident at Kicking Horse, a heartbreaking accident occurred at Red Lodge Mountain when a snowboarder fell from the triple chair lift during high winds reaching up to 65 mph. The lift, built in 1983 and lacking a safety bar, experienced a mechanical failure likely exacerbated by the gusts, leading to a derailment that caused the fall. The victim, a husband and father to a newborn, succumbed to his injuries in the hospital two days later.
The derailment, described as “unusually aggressive,” occurred when strong gusts caused the cable rope to separate from the sheaves. Over 100 passengers were evacuated, and the Triple chair remains closed as investigations continue.
Expert Perspectives
The United States
The National Ski Areas Association, the not-for-profit trade association that supports the interests of ski and snowboard area owners and operators in the United States, is an excellent starting point for gathering knowledge. SnowBrains reached out to the NSAA and it provided a wealth of essential information.
According to the NSAA, ski areas follow strict inspection procedures for their lifts, with daily, weekly, monthly, and annual protocols, including an annual review by a third-party expert. This maintenance complies with state regulations, manufacturers requirements, federal standards, national safety standards, and insurance policies specifications, and many ski states require ski areas to report lift incidents to state tramway agencies and the U.S. Forest Service.
The NSAA monitors incidents throughout the season to prioritize industry education and enhance public safety, offering public data and year-round training and resources. Its initiatives include lift maintenance seminars at various conferences, employee safety programs, and lift evacuation education and workshops. NSAA annually reports several data points after the ski season, found in its NSAA Aerial Ropeway and Surface Lift Fact Sheet.
Additionally, the NSAA collaborates with organizations such as Rocky Mountain Lift Association (RMLA) and Lift Maintenance Operations and Education (LMOE) to organize lift safety boot camps at various ski areas. Conferences and regional meetings emphasize lift safety and maintenance, and the NSAA works with Colorado Mountain College and other institutions to offer free online education for lift mechanics. The NSSA is also developing apprenticeship training and certification programs in partnership with the U.S. Department of Labor to support structured training and career development.
Each year, the NSAA publishes safety and injury information for the skiing public and media, including resources about chairlift safety. The NSAA has collaborated with Ski California and Colorado Ski Country USA to develop ski and snowboard safety videos and manages the ANSI B77 Standards Committee, which oversees chairlift maintenance and operations throughout the United States.
In collaboration with the National Ski Patrol (NSP), the NSAA published the Aerial Evacuation Resource Guide, which has been adopted by some state tramway agencies. The NSAA also cooperates with these state agencies, the U.S. Forest Service, and chairlift manufacturers to guide industry standards, ensure compliance with regulations, and support safety technologies, increased accessibility, and related safety practices.
Canada
From the Canadian perspective, SnowBrains reached out to the Canadian Ski Council (CSC) president and CEO Paul Pinchbeck and spoke with leaders at regional ski operators’ associations across the country. Lifts are provincial matters in Canada, and regional associations with collaborate with local regulators on safety concerns.
One of the most knowledgeable people in Canada about lift mechanics, maintenance, and failures is Kevin Nichol. He is the president of the Ontario Snow Sports Association (OSRA) and chair of Ski Canada’s lift advisory committee, which oversees compliance with CSA Z98, the national standard for ski lift mechanics which is updated every five years for clarity and responsiveness. Nichol is an industry veteran with expertise in insurance and risk management. “The industry doesn’t spend enough time talking about what we’re good at,” he said on a phone call with SnowBrains, generously sharing his insights on best practices and some of the communication gaps that still remain within the industry.
Ontario stands out as initiative-taking in its regulatory approach to ski lifts. In addition to full compliance with CSA Z98, Ontario-specific rules include an aging lift review engineering program. After twenty years, a ski lift must undergo a comprehensive engineering inspection by an independent expert. After thirty years, a lift is taken apart and rebuilt, followed by inspections every five years.
These inspections, working closely with the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA), Ontario’s independent governing safety authority responsible for ski lifts, are built into operating budgets and are required to continue lift use. The TSSA collaborates with 50 alpine resorts within the province. Open communication with the TSSA, which can sometimes be a challenge for operators, is nonetheless encouraged, and safety remains the shared goal for all parties.
Ontario is also the only province with a mandatory continuing education requirement for ski lift mechanics. Certification, which includes a minimum training requirement from an approved instructor, must be renewed every two years. The training covers TSSA safety and code compliance and industry developments and trends, with an emphasis on knowledge-sharing. Intensive ski lift mechanic boot camps, involving manufacturers and trainers from across the industry, are hosted at various resorts and include both classroom and hands-on elements.
At the upcoming Conference and Trade Show for Eastern Ski Areas, taking place in Gatineau, Quebec, from May 26 to 29, Nichol will lead a session on lift incidents from the 2024–25 season. The session will include the latest statistics, highlight management challenges, and explore new technology to support lift staff with training, operations, and maintenance. The goal is to give attendees clear, practical takeaways they can share with on-mountain teams.
Yves Juneau, President and Director General of the Association des stations de ski du Québec (ASRA), offered context on how lift safety is governed by the building authority, La Régie du Bâtiment du Québec (RBQ). He said that “ski resorts must pass various tests administered by the Regis and attain and maintain an authorized license.” Employment Québec, another government agency, offers a certification program for lift mechanics that involves 2,400 hours of hands-on experience and can take several years to complete depending on where the resort is located and how many days it operates in a season. Operating a ski resort in Quebec requires a certified lift mechanic on staff at all times.
Responsible for developing and updating chapters of the construction code and the safety code that apply to ski lifts, RBQ also oversees compliance from all stakeholders. This includes ski lift designers, contractors, owner-builders who work in the field, and owner-operators of the equipment, through a variety of monitoring methods, including inspections and audits. Corrective notices are issued to stakeholders when an inspection reveals noncompliance, and the RBQ imposes additional measures when necessary, including initiating legal proceedings.
Following SnowBrains’ initial query to Ski Canada, Chris Nicholson reached out to provide a perspective from Western Canada. A thirty-year veteran of the industry, Nicholson has worked in British Columbia at Sun Peaks, Whistler Blackcomb, Silver Star, and Forbidden Plateau Resorts, as well as at St. Aton in Austria, and served as chair or director on many industry boards and committees. In his current role as President and CEO of the Canada West Ski Area Association (CWSAA), Nicholson focuses on risk management, sustainable market growth, people and talent development, and advocacy in one of the most vibrant, and volatile, ski regions in the world.
As of 2024, the CWSAA represents 278 members including 124 ski areas and 154 industry suppliers. Ski areas in Western Canada attract 10 million alpine skier visits and generate $2.5 billion in spending annually. They employ over 27,000 people and provide an economic cornerstone for the winter tourism industry. In support of its members, the CWSAA breaks down communication silos regarding safety and risk management, while working closely with government regulators (Technical Safety BC, and the Alberta Elevating Devices and Amusement Safety Association) on best practices.
The Bigger Picture
While association leaders offer expertise on policy, best practices, and training related to lift safety, direct conversations with lift operators have provided valuable, on-the-ground perspectives. Despite fears circulating in the media, feedback from the front lines reflects confidence in lift systems. Operators, mechanics, and ski patrol teams remain resolute, attentive, and skilled. Observing their work in real time reinforces trust in their professionalism under challenging conditions.
Lift mechanics and maintenance standards, governed by various governmental and non-governmental entities, are exceptionally high industry-wide, and involve rigorous hands-on training and certification requirements. When malfunctions occur, they often stem from aging infrastructure, wear from constant use, and staffing challenges at some resorts. Many lifts in North America, installed in the 1980s and 1990s, have been operating for over 30 years. These systems require significant upgrades or more intensive maintenance protocols. The province of Ontario has been a leader in addressing these issues through its aging lift review engineering program and its mandatory continuing education requirements for lift mechanics.
Modern lift technology is available, but upgrades can be cost prohibitive, leading some resorts to defer maintenance until an issue arises. Companies such as RCR and Vail Resorts may struggle to balance consistency across properties, especially when it comes to hiring enough qualified mechanics and performing rigorous preventative maintenance. This highlights the critical importance of regular industry updates and investments in infrastructure–such as the recent partnership between Mont Sainte-Anne and the province of Quebec–to ensure continued safety for every skier and rider who puts their trust in the lift.
The severity of some incidents caused by mechanical failures are alarming, but experts urge a measured response. All stakeholders work together on safety issues. Lift malfunctions, especially those resulting in rider injury, are statistically rare. According to the NSAA, the odds of being seriously injured on a lift are about 1 in 73 million. In 2023-24, 60.4 million people visited and rode a ski lift or gondola at one of 480 resorts in the United States. The real issues are systemic: money, staffing, and aging machinery, not incompetence. Extreme temperature fluctuations, characteristic of a rapidly changing climate, can also play a role. The talent, will, and knowledge to keep skiers and snowboarders safe is there.
Protocols and best practices to ensure ski lift safety—from training and inspections to system design—are largely effective and regularly updated when issues arise. However, one area the industry can improve is in communicating its efforts more clearly. Being transparent about upgrades, staffing, and real incident data helps build credibility. At the same time, it’s important for skiers and snowboarders to seek out information and stay informed. When everyone has a better understanding of how safety decisions are made and the steps being taken behind the scenes, it strengthens trust—not just in the technology, but in the people who manage it.
Lift anxiety isn’t going anywhere, but putting fears in context and right-sizing them is essential. By understanding the facts and gaining a clear perspective on lift safety, fear loses its grip. Knowledge is the key to turning anxiety into confidence—on the slopes, and on the lift.
You forgot about the lift evacuation at Cannon Mountain in NH due to malfunction.