Dozens of skiers and snowboarders were treated to complimentary pizza and hot chocolate after requiring evacuation from a chairlift at Lutsen Mountains in northern Minnesota in the midst of bitter cold and windy conditions.
Bring Me The News reports fire crews and ski patrol responded to scene at around 9:30am on Saturday morning when the chairlift malfunctioned in 56+mph winds and subzero temperatures. Rescuers focused on getting kids and more vulnerable people down first before fully evacuating the 40+ stranded guests.
“Three crews went to work once it was determined the lift was not a quick fix. One patrol group from the bottom, the fire department and lift ops in the middle over the road with a ladder truck and glider chairs, and another patrol group from the top. With the persistent high winds that picked up further, there were great challenges shooting the rope between the lift wires and over the cable.” –Andrew Schultz
The rescue operation lasted around 5 hours with some guests lowered by using fire truck ladders and others lowered by rope that was shot over the main lift cable. Thankfully no injuries were reported.
