Several Lake Tahoe Skiers Hospitalized After Dangerous Chairlift Accident

A ski resort in Lake Tahoe recently experienced a frightening chairlift incident resulting in the hospitalization of five skiers.

Maria Aldrich | 16 Hours Ago

Chairlift system / Unsplash

Lake Tahoe's Heavenly Ski Resort is a favored resort for skiers and snowboarders looking for an enjoyable experience on the slopes. Heavenly stands at 10,067 feet and provides stunning views for visitors. As stated by the resort's website, "There's a million ways to describe this place (and we all have our own way), but we can all agree, Tahoe is heavenly."

While many snow sport athletes are well aware of the dangers presented by their preferred sport, regardless of location, chairlift safety and risks are often undermined.

For skiers who visited Heavenly Ski Resort on Monday, Dec 23, a frightening situation occurred involving the lift system.

At around 10:00 a.m., rescue teams responded to Heavenly Ski Resort after they received a call stating that the chairs collided with one another while skiers were on board. According to fire officials at the Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District, two fire engines and three ambulances joined forces in response to the call.

"Heavenly Mountain Resort can confirm an incident occurred on its Comet Express chairlift today, Monday, December 23, 2024. The safety of our guests is our top priority and the resort is investigating the incident," a spokesperson from the resort stated.

A nearby visitor witnessed the disaster while waiting in line at the Dipper Express chairlift.

"The chair slid backwards with people on it into the chair behind it," the visitor, Travis Faanes, told CNN. "The people in the front chair fell off. They [are] lucky they happened at the very beginning of the lift."

Immediately following the incident, five skiers were carried down the mountain on sleds and were transported to Renown Regional Medical Center for further treatment. The condition of the skiers are not known at this time.

An ongoing investigation is in place at the ski resort.

Published 16 Hours Ago

MARIA ALDRICH

Maria Aldrich graduated from SUNY Potsdam with a degree in Exercise Science and a minor in Wilderness Education. While earning her degrees, she learned the fundamentals of climbing, wilderness travel, and leadership in the backcountry. These skills built upon Maria's lifelong passion for the outdoors. Following graduation, she began working in the outdoor recreation field, serving individuals with disabilities to help them access outdoor pursuits including hiking, paddling, horseback riding, and snowshoeing. The following year, Maria moved to the Adirondack Mountains in New York State to continue working towards a life of adventure and writing. She has continued rock and ice climbing, hiking in the High Peaks of the Adirondacks, and paddling through various rivers while documenting her experiences through writing. When Maria isn’t adventuring in the mountains, she can be found reading a book, fishing on a shoreline, or spending time with family.