Full Breakdown
Evacuation at Whitefish Mountain Resort Due to Chairlift Mechanical Failure
1/10/2026, 10:58:43 PM
Incident Overview
On January 6, 2026, Whitefish Mountain Resort in Montana experienced a significant incident when the Chair 1 Big Mountain Express lift, a high-speed quad lift, suffered a mechanical failure. The lift, which transports skiers to the summit of Big Mountain, stopped functioning at approximately 9:55 a.m. Despite efforts by lift mechanics to resolve the issue, the backup system also failed, leading to a full evacuation of the lift around 11:30 a.m. By 1:45 p.m., all approximately 150 to 200 skiers aboard had been safely evacuated.
Evacuation Process
The evacuation involved a coordinated effort from over 40 resort employees, including ski patrollers, mountain ambassadors, and ski instructors. Ski patrollers utilized ropes and harnesses to lower guests from the chairs during the emergency operation. To facilitate this process, other lifts, specifically Chairs 8 and 11, were temporarily closed, allowing all available personnel to assist. These lifts resumed operations around 2:30 p.m. after the evacuation was completed.
Official Statements
Chad Sokol, a spokesperson for Whitefish Mountain Resort, indicated that the lift maintenance team had identified the mechanical issue and anticipated a quick resolution once the evacuation was complete. Resort President Nick Polumbus expressed regret over the incident, stating, "We know this is not how anyone hopes to spend their time on the mountain, and we sincerely apologize to all our guests." He acknowledged the challenging experience for those involved and thanked guests for their patience.
Guest Compensation
In response to the incident, Whitefish Mountain Resort announced that all guests evacuated from Chair 1 would receive free lift tickets for future use. Passholders affected by the evacuation were provided with tickets that could be used by friends or family. The resort encouraged those who did not make it to the Base Lodge to contact them in the following days to claim their tickets.
Current Status of Chair 1
As of the latest updates, Chair 1 remains closed while the resort addresses the mechanical issues. Resort officials have not provided a timeline for when the lift will resume operations.
Criticism & Opposition
While the resort has expressed its commitment to guest safety and satisfaction, some patrons have voiced concerns regarding the handling of the situation. The evacuation process, although executed efficiently, was described as a distressing experience for many skiers.
Verbatim Quotes
- "We know this is not how anyone hopes to spend their time on the mountain, and we sincerely apologize to all our guests." — Nick Polumbus, President, Whitefish Mountain Resort
- "More than 40 employees... were directly involved in the evacuation process." — Whitefish Mountain Resort Snow Report
This incident highlights the importance of safety protocols in ski resorts and the need for effective emergency response measures.
