A popular ski lift at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort in British Columbia has been closed after a gondola cabin packed with guests suddenly fell to the ground. The terrifying incident happened on Monday morning, March 10, 2025, just as the cabin was leaving the base station.
At around 9:20 a.m., a gondola on the Eagle Express lift detached and crashed. Early reports say a lift hanger broke, causing the cabin to drop several feet onto the snow. Witnesses say the cabin tipped over but landed on deep snow, which may have prevented serious injuries. Some guests estimated the fall was 10 to 15 feet, while resort officials said it was about 1 meter (3.5 feet). The exact number of people inside at the time is unknown, but each gondola can hold up to 8 passengers.
Ski patrol and nearby guests rushed to help those trapped inside. One witness, Scott Wilson, told CBC that the cabin doors were slightly open after the fall, but no one could get out. Emergency crews were called, and the stranded guests were eventually freed. Other skiers on the same lift were stuck in their cabins for hours before being rescued. The resort quickly shut down the Eagle Express and four other lifts for safety checks.
The entire resort closed on Monday but partially reopened on Tuesday, March 11. Only a few lifts, including the Catamount and Pioneer Chairlifts, were running. The resort offered discounted lift tickets due to limited access. The Eagle’s Eye Restaurant and Heaven’s Door Yurt remained closed, and terrain above the Pioneer Chairlift was off-limits due to safety concerns.
Experts are inspecting the gondola system to find out why the cabin fell. Officials say the situation could have been much worse if the cabin had been higher up the mountain. Richard Oszust, the resort’s area manager, apologized to guests and thanked them for their patience.
Gondola accidents are rare but can be extremely dangerous. This incident raises questions about lift maintenance and safety protocols at ski resorts. Kicking Horse Mountain Resort is known for its steep slopes and deep powder, attracting skiers from around the world. The closure of its main gondola could impact tourism as the winter season continues.
Authorities will release more details as the investigation continues. For now, skiers are advised to check the resort’s website for updates before visiting.
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