On Friday, a mechanical malfunction at Whitefish Mountain Resort’s primary chairlift, known as Chair 1 or the Big Mountain Express, necessitated an emergency evacuation of between 150 and 200 skiers. Fortunately, no injuries were reported during the incident. Chad Sokol, the resort’s Public Relations Manager, expressed regret for the inconvenience caused.
Details of the Evacuation Incident
The lift, vital for transporting guests to the summit of Big Mountain, first stalled at 9:55 a.m. on January 9. Although there were brief attempts to resume operation, the high-speed quad chairlift stopped again. By around 11:30 a.m., resort staff decided a full evacuation was necessary.
Evacuation Process
To safely lower guests from the lift to the snow below, resort personnel and ski patrol utilized ropes, climbing harnesses, and specialized seats. The evacuation was completed by 1:47 p.m., thanks to the collaborative efforts of over 40 employees. This team included ski patrollers, mountain ambassadors, instructors, and other staff.
- Over 40 staff involved in evacuation efforts.
- Four patrollers volunteered to assist on their day off.
- Low summit temperatures around 15°F, with wind chill values in single digits.
Resort Response and Previous Challenges
Whitefish Mountain Resort President Nick Polumbus acknowledged the seriousness of the situation in his statement. He apologized to guests for the experience during the incident, highlighting the challenging conditions. “We know this is not how anyone hopes to spend their time on the mountain,” Polumbus noted.
Throughout the day, other lifts, including Chairs 2 through 9 and the Big Easy and 2 Easy conveyor carpets, remained operational. The resort recognized previous issues with Chair 1 and other lifts, recalling a similar malfunction three years prior that caused a four-hour evacuation.
Compensation for Guests
Guests affected by the evacuation were directed to the Base Lodge Tickets & Information center, where they could receive complimentary lift tickets for future visits. Passholders received transferable tickets for friends or family. Those who could not reach the Base Lodge were encouraged to contact the resort in the following days.
Polumbus reassured guests, stating that the lift maintenance team is diligently addressing the technical issues associated with Chair 1 and aims to have it operational soon.
