The Sea To Sky Gondola is a popular attraction for tourists visiting Squamish, BC, but it’s had a tumultuous last couple of years.

Vandals severed the gondola’s cables on August 10th , 2019 and again on September 14th, 2020.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police have released a new thermal video showing a security guard narrowly avoiding the crashing cables, and have announced that the Sea to Sky Gondola is doubling their reward to $500,000.

More info from the RCMP:

“Additionally, Sea to Sky Gondola LP, the operator of the attraction, is doubling its reward money from $250,000 to $500,000 for information leading to the conviction of the individual (s) responsible.

Background: On August 10, 2019 at 4:30 a.m. and on September 14, 2020 at 4 a.m., cables that attach the cars to the Sea to Sky Gondola were deliberately cut by an unknown individual(s).

The BC RCMP is releasing a video of the September 14 incident which shows the cables crashing into the mountain narrowly missing a security guard conducting checks on the gondola.”

Here’s the video of the security guard dodging the falling cables. Look closely towards the bottom your screen. You can see him walk under the lift, and then the cables fall shortly after.

The RCMP is seeking criminal charges for the culprit, including mischief endangering life.

“The BC RCMP Major Crime Special Projects Unit has taken conduct of the investigation and is pursuing a charge of mischief endangering life for consideration by the British Columbia Prosecution Service. Major Crime is continuing to advance the investigation with the significant work done by the Squamish RCMP General Investigations Section since the incidents occurred.”

The RCMP has also released a photo of the suspect. They believe the suspect is “extremely fit” and that he knew the area well. They also believe that he had specific knowledge on which tools to use to cut the cables.

Thermal image of the suspect below:

The public is encourage to reach out to the RCMP with any information related to the incident by calling or emailing the following:

BC RCMP Major Crime Tip Line: 1 (877) 543-4822 or (778) 290-5291 or email: Police Gondola email at Gondola.Info@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.