Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia’s Glacier Express lift, which has been inoperable since Sunday, January 19, 2025 will remain closed for “some time,” according to an update published by the resort.
The lift, Whistler Blackcomb explained, is experiencing mechanical issues related to either the gearbox or bullwheel bearing. Assessing and fixing the issue could take a week or more.
“We know this isn’t the news you wanted to hear and appreciate your patience as our team works hard to get Glacier Express back up and running safely, as quickly as possible,” Whistler Blackcomb wrote.
Located on the Blackcomb side of Whistler Blackcomb’s piste, the Glacier Express is a vital piece of lift infrastructure, allowing skiers and snowboarders to access the upper mountain. In its absence, visitors can use the 7th Heaven Express lift, which offers a less direct route.
This winter, several other ski resorts worldwide have already dealt with lift malfunctions. Some, like the Glacier Express malfunction, were minor and didn’t result in any injuries. Others were major.
An empty chair became dislodged from the LaVelle lift after colliding with an operator at Montana Snowbowl in December, leading to a brief pause in operations. No one was injured. LaVelle underwent an inspection and resumed operating later that day, the Montana Snowbowl wrote in a statement.
In the Lake Tahoe, California, area, two chairs of the Comet Express Lift reportedly collided, leaving several people injured, according to USA Today.
Last month, over 150 skiers were left stranded on a malfunctioning gondola at Winter Park Resort, Colorado. An hours-long evacuation ensued. After undergoing inspections and repairs, the gondola was quickly returned to service, according to a blog post from Winter Park.
At Astún Ski Resort, Spain, at least 15 people were injured recently when an accident occurred on the Canal Roya chairlift, causing several chairs to fall to the ground. In a press release, Astún ski resort noted that three of the injured people were hospitalized.
Fatal lift and aerial ropeway malfunctions, however, remain rare, according to the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA).
In the U.S., between 1973 and 2024, there were 16 fatalities stemming from nine lift malfunctions—the majority of these incidents occurred in the 1970s and 1980s. Last winter, the leading cause of on-slope catastrophic injuries was collisions with trees and the snow surface. Two of that season’s catastrophic injuries involved people falling from lifts related to misloads.
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