Skiers Rope Evacuated from Whitefish Mountain Resort's Chair 1
Flathead Beacon••nation
Key Points:
- A mechanical failure on Whitefish Mountain Resort’s main chairlift, Chair 1 (Big Mountain Express), on January 9 led to a roped evacuation of 150 to 200 passengers, with no injuries reported.
- The evacuation, which began around 11:30 a.m. and concluded by 1:47 p.m., involved over 40 staff members using ropes, harnesses, and specialized seats to safely lower guests to the snow.
- The resort closed nearby lifts and terrain to assist with the evacuation, while other lifts and conveyor carpets remained open throughout the day.
- Whitefish Mountain Resort acknowledged past lift malfunctions and offered free future lift tickets to those affected by the evacuation, with passholders able to transfer
