A popular ski resort in upstate New York was the scene of a dramatic rescue operation this week after a mechanical failure left dozens of skiers stranded high above the slopes.
Gondola Stalls Mid-Journey
On Wednesday morning, the Northwoods gondola at Gore Mountain suddenly stalled due to what officials have described as a mechanical alignment issue. The incident affected approximately 67 guests who were travelling across 15 separate cabins when the system came to an unexpected halt.
Complex Rescue Operation
Emergency services and mountain rescue teams scrambled to the scene to coordinate what became a complex two-hour evacuation. Using specialised cables and wires, rescuers carefully lowered each skier to the ground in a meticulously planned operation.
Remarkably, despite the challenging circumstances and considerable height involved, all guests were safely brought down without any reported injuries. The successful evacuation has been praised by both resort management and local emergency services.
Swift Return to Service
Following a thorough inspection and necessary repairs, the Northwoods gondola was cleared to reopen for service on Thursday morning. Resort officials have confirmed that the mechanical issue has been fully resolved and that all safety systems are functioning correctly.
"The safety of our guests is our absolute priority," a Gore Mountain spokesperson stated. "We're grateful for the swift response of our emergency teams and relieved that everyone was brought down safely. We've conducted comprehensive checks on the system and are confident it's ready to resume normal operations."
The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of regular maintenance and safety protocols at winter sports facilities, particularly for aerial transport systems that operate in challenging mountain environments.
