WILMINGTON — A chairlift derailment forced Whiteface personnel to evacuate 47 skiers and snowboarders from the lift late Saturday afternoon.
Today, ORDA Director of Communications Sandy Caligiore said one person complained of a sore thumb after the event, but there were no other injuries.
“We have staff that rehearse this every year,” he said. “There are procedures in place and they were followed to a T.”
The evacuation process involves running a rope from the ground to the person to be evacuated. The evacuee puts on a harness and is slowly but steadily lowered to the ground directly under the chair, with the rescuer on the ground able to control the descent.
The accident happened at about 3:20 p.m., 10 minutes before the lift closes each day. The lift closes earlier than the other lifts at Whiteface to give Ski Patrol members enough time to sweep the mountain before it gets dark.
In a press release, Whiteface Mountain Manager Jay Rand said all skiers and riders were off the lift by 5:20 p.m. and in the base lodge by 6 p.m. Once there, they were given complimentary food and warm drinks, Caligiore said.
Skiers and riders who were lowered before dark opted to proceed to the base area on their own or with a guide, while those who were lowered after dark were brought to the base area by snow cats.
Caligiore said two eyewitnesses on the lift reported a gust of wind caused a communication cable and a descending (empty) chair to become locked together. That caused the cable supporting the chair to jump off one of the rollers at the adjacent lift tower, which automatically shuts down the lift.
The Summit Quad reaches an elevation of 4,386 feet and serves intermediate and expert terrain. The derailment happened about two-thirds of the way up the lift, Caligiore said.
Rand said 80 Whiteface staff members were involved, including those who lowered guests to the ground. Administrators, marketing, concessions, Ski Patrol, Host Patrol and Snowsports School staff assisted in getting everyone safely off the mountain and providing care once they were.
“This was a real team effort. All of our departments came together,” Caligiore said. “They made this as seamless a procedure as could be expected.”
He said temperatures were in the 20s and winds were calm while he was skiing until about 12:15 p.m.
“The elements could’ve really worked against us. It could’ve been 10 degrees below zero or a 30 below wind chill,” Caligiore said.
He described it as a freak accident.
“Generally, if there’s a strong wind, we don’t run that lift,” Caligiore said. “For an odd gust to come out of nowhere, that’s just a crapshoot.”
He said this was the first lift derailment at Whiteface in his memory. He said the lift would remain closed for at least a few days as repairs are made, but hopefully would be running again by mid-week or the end of next week.
Caligiore said numbers were good at the mountain Sunday, as they have been throughout the holidays.
“Nobody seems daunted by what occurred,” he said.
E-mail Dan Heath at:
dheath@pressrepublican.com
Local News
47 rescued from Whiteface lift
- Local News
-
-
Governor visits North Country to promote budget package
Delights huge crowd at Plattsburgh State in promising to continue reform in Albany. INCLUDES VIDEO
-
Boundaries may remain as is
Franklin County has started work on redistricting, but legislators say the population probably didn't change enough to warrant a new plan.
-
Marble River Wind Farm work continues
The 72-tower project in the towns of Ellenburg and Clinton is expected to be operational in October.
-
New technology helps history, tourism, arts
Adirondack Architectural Heritage in Keeseville hosted a presentation on using Facebook as part of marketing strategies.
-
Body likely missing Fort Covington man
Dustin Trimm of Winthrop charged with murder.
-
Pipeline work on hold
A natural-gas boom in Pennsylvania increased demand for specialized workers and has doubled the expected construction costs for the 48-mile St. Lawrence Gas line through Franklin County.
-
Many agencies working together on waterway remediation
In Keene Valley on Thursday, officials and citizens visited a cross-weir on John's Brook designed to protect both the environment and the bridge there from future flood damage.
-
Robert Russell to the rescue
The 6-year-old Peru boy was recognized for thinking quickly to call 911 when his mother had a seizure.
-
Powerful savings— for now
National Grid is ending collection of one fee and beginning collection of a smaller one, leaving residential and business customers with lower bills in 2012.
-
Appeal mostly denied for Tupper Lake man
Travis K. Borden was convicted in 2010 of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old.
-
Sharing dough
Students in Ticonderoga learned to make bread from scratch from King Arthur Flour's free Life Skills Baking Program.
-
City approves surcharge for dam repairs
Funds will go toward paying off long-term bond for infrastructure improvements.
-
Car chase nets arrest
Lance D. Lamora allegedly fled police in the City of Plattsburgh on Monday night; he faces numerous misdemeanor charges, including driving while intoxicated.
-
Of Interest: Feb. 3, 2012
DWI crackdown runs today through Sunday; Venue changes for Crown Point meeting; Dannemora Village to work on budget; Saranac School Board to meet Feb. 7.
-
Westport Branch of Latter-day Saints closes
Lack of members cited for closure; Westport members merge with Middlebury, Vt., ward.
- February 2, 2012
-
Pipeline on hold
A natural-gas boom in Pennsylvania increased demand for specialized workers and has doubled the expected construction costs for the 48-mile St. Lawrence Gas line through Franklin County.
-
Strand Theatre fundraising on home stretch
It has about $800,000 left to raise for the $4 million project.
-
Appeal mostly denied for Tupper Lake man
Travis K. Borden was convicted in 2010 of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old.
-
Governor visits North Country to promote budget package
- Recent Article Comments
Killer of Fla. Girl Found in Landfill Gets Life
Army Orders Bradley Manning Court-martial
Cancer Charity Revives Breast-screening Grants
Heavy Snowstorm Hits Colorado On Its Way East
2nd Teacher From LA School Arrested on Sex Claim
Prosecutors Close Armstrong Inquiry, No Charges
Sights and Sounds: Football Fans Pour Into Indy
Unemployment Rate Down to 8.3%
Obama: Still Far Too Many Americans Need Jobs
GOP: Jobs Numbers Welcome, Can Do Better
Fla. Man Adopts Girlfriend in Legal Battle
More Deaths As Egypt Clashes Continue
Raw Video: Prince William in Falklands
Egpyt Protesters Blame Police for Soccer Deaths
'Lucky' 9-Year-Old Receives 6-Organ Transplant
Raw Video: Michelle Vs. Ellen in Pushup Contest
First Person: Will Peyton Manning Stay in Indy?
Egypt Shaken After Deadly Soccer Riot
New Suits, New Starts for New York's Unemployed
Hall of Famer Dorsett Speaks Out on NFL Injuries
