On Wednesday morning at Gore Mountain, a popular ski resort in North Creek, New York, about 67 skiers were stranded for several hours when a mechanical problem caused the Northwoods Gondola to stop mid‑air.
The incident unfolded around 9:00 a.m. when the lift suddenly halted soon after beginning operations. Resort officials confirmed the stoppage was triggered by a mechanical alignment issue in one of the lift’s components, which activated the system’s safety shutdown protocols.
What Happened During the Rescue
Rescue crews, including Gore Mountain staff, Olympic Regional Development Authority personnel, and New York State forest rangers, quickly responded to the scene. Working from the ground up, they climbed gondola towers and used ropes and body harnesses to lower each person safely to the snow below.
The operation lasted nearly five hours, with skiers suspended as high as 70 feet (about 21 meters) above ground. Witnesses reported mixed emotions among those stranded—some anxious, others calm—largely due to the enclosed cabins and sunshine helping maintain warmth despite the below‑freezing temperatures.
No Injuries and Praise for Rescue Efforts
Remarkably, everyone was brought down without injury, a testament to the skill and coordination of the rescue teams. One of the skiers described the experience as “sobering” and said it would influence how he prepares for future outings.
Officials highlighted that joint training exercises earlier in the season helped prepare responders for just this type of evacuation challenge.
Gondola Service Resumes
Following a thorough safety inspection, Gore Mountain announced that the gondola was back in service the next day. Resort representatives reiterated that guest safety remains their top priority and that all systems would be reviewed to prevent a similar incident.
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