Gondola Fails at Kicking Horse on a Powder Day
A serious incident occurred at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort this morning when a hanger arm snapped, causing a gondola cabin with passengers inside to fall to the ground. The accident took place near the bottom station of the Golden Eagle Express gondola, minimizing the drop height and reducing the risk of severe injuries. According to witnesses, while the cabin was occupied, there were no immediate reports of serious injuries.
Rescue crews quickly mobilized to secure the lift, remove the damaged hanger and grip, and safely evacuate the remaining passengers. Kicking Horse’s mountain report shows that all lifts were closed following the incident, leaving many skiers and snowboarders stranded on what had been shaping up to be an epic powder day, with 23 centimeters (9 inches) of fresh snow in the past 24 hours. With the lift running near capacity at the time, the failure significantly impacted resort operations.
In official statements Kicking Horse management provided the following information:
Golden – At 9:20 am, an incident occurred involving a cabin at the base terminal of Golden Eagle Express gondola. Our patrol team and first responders were rapidly dispatched on scene.
Our trained maintenance team is evacuating the passengers as per standard operating procedure. A full inspection has been initiated to determine and analyze root causes. Teams from the manufacturer and relevant authorities have been called in to further assist. Please note Golden Eagle Express gondola will remain closed until further notice.
“Based on preliminary findings, a lift hanger (aka hanger arm) broke while this carrier was leaving the bottom station, causing it to fall approximately one meter to the ground. Our patrol team and first responders were rapidly dispatched to the scene. Although there were eight passengers in the cabin, fortunately no one was seriously injured during the incident.”
Update on Kicking Horse Operations
A full inspection of the Golden Eagle Express gondola is now underway, supported by the manufacturer’s specialists along with relevant authorities to determine root causes & further steps.
Please note that the Golden Eagle Express gondola will remain closed until further notice. While the gondola is not in operation KHMR Season Passholders can ski/ride at Nakiska, Fernie Alpine Resort and Kimberley Alpine Resort. Pass will scan direct to lift at these resorts.
Kicking Horse Mountain Resort plans to operate daily, with the Catamount and Pioneer Chairlifts and the Jelly Bean Magic Carpet until further notice. Reduced lift tickets will be in effect. All outlets and services will be available for regularly scheduled hours of operation excluding the Eagle’s Eye Restaurant and Heaven’s Door Yurt. Terrain above the Pioneer Chair will be closed until further notice as there will not be mountain safety response and avalanche control available.
It could take weeks or months to reopen the gondola.
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