46 replies to this topic

[snwman61]

having operators anywhere near the lift while im on the bullwheel scares me to death

[johnny j]

In the work cart on tower 2 empire lift this last summer. I was working with a mechanic who is no longer with us thank god. We had the haul rope lifted up with an enerpac(hydraulic device pumped up manually) well the other guy left the vaulve open for some reason and I had my hand on a sheave. He was on the tower and bumped the enerpac which dropped the haul rope. luckily my fingers were just back enough not to get smashed, that would have sucked. I learned pretty quick not to put my fingers where I wouldn't put my

[jclark]

I've had some interesting rides in VT with lifts that had slight rollbacks as well as chairs not well fastened to the bails.

Being evac-ed by rope isn't fun, especially after sitting in a chair in 10 degree weather in only a long sleeved sweatshirt and jeans (long story).

Or catching a tip and going around the bullwheel - and jumping as to not go down the line.

Regarding the person who hit the stop wand that didn't stop the lift and went around the bullwheel - while I'm not defending the top operator who wasn't paying attention, it should be noted that it does take a few feet for a lift top stop - by the time he noticed you went around, you may have been too far downhill to be able to unload, thus him not stopping the lift.

[maplevalleymaster]

A electrical pole blowing up was the scariest moment of riding a lift for me. Every lift stopped and I had just gotten on

[skier691]

a few (12) years ago, being at a regional area, on a double centerpost riblet that a few minutes being stopped starts back up. It happened that it derailed. The worst part, the cable was not put back on the sheaves, no evac, they (being management who stood below the said tower) ran the lift on the cable catchers (bypassed?) to unload the lift. I rode over a cable catcher on a riblet lift. If I only knew then what I know now

[skibum33]

I got stuck on the Montezuma Chair at Keystone during night skiing. The moral of my story is that the lift was closed and we must of paseed the tiny sign that said lift closed. So we were stuck on the lift for atleast 20 miniutes , luckly someone else was on the lift and called ski patrol. It was really scary becaues we were some what far from a lit trail and no one ever saw us. It was one heck of a scary night. Luckly we didn't have to spend the night on the lift. We got off and we got to keep our passes . The only great part of the ride was getting a free hot cocco from the ski patrol

[Peter]

Someone a few years ago got on the Southern Comfort lift at Big Sky after it closed and they were stuck all night in subzero temperatures, I am amazed they did not jump while it was still light after they realized noone was coming to help. Before the lift was replaced with an hsq, they had huge signs saying to call to get a ride out if the lift was closed.