A chair became lodged sideways entering the top terminal of Lutsen Mountains’ Raptor Express yesterday, leading to a full rope evacuation. Winds were reportedly picking up at the time and made for a multi-hour evacuation. The 2023 Leitner-Poma six pack crosses several roadways, allowing a ladder truck from the local fire department to reach some of the lift’s 53 chairs. Other riders were roped down by resort staff. “We sincerely appreciate the patience and continued support of our guests,” the mountain noted on its snow report. “We are grateful to our patrol, ops and lift teams for all they do to keep us safe and having fun,” Lutsen said. I have asked Lutsen whether anyone on the affected chair fell or was injured and will update with any new information.
Lutsen says the Raptor Express will remain closed for several days as parts arrive for repair. The Bridge double will run in Raptor’s place, providing access to all the same terrain. “Our teams are working hard to ensure safe operations, and we look forward to delivering positive experiences on the mountain today and throughout the season,” said Lutsen.
Update 1/19: Lutsen provided the following statement to Lift Blog: “On Saturday, 1/17 at approximately 9:45 am, Lutsen Mountains experienced a mechanical failure on the Raptor Express chairlift which caused the lift to cease operating. After a thorough inspection, it was determined the guests on the lift would need to be evacuated. In total, 44 guests were evacuated by Lutsen Mountains Ski Patrol and transported to Lutsen’s Ski Patrol building and Eagle Ridge Registration building where cookies, hot drinks and guest services personnel awaited them. One guest experienced non-life threatening injuries as a result of the mechanical issue, and no guests were injured in the evacuation process.
At this time, Raptor Express remains closed until the upcoming weekend while the team awaits replacement parts. In the meantime, guests can continue to access the same terrain via Bridge Lift. Any updates will be made via our website, daily mountain report, and social media. Thank you for your patience during this time and we thank our ski patrol for their training and professionalism during the evacuation.”
Update 1/20: Lutsen confirmed to Lift Blog that “four people fell from the chair at the top terminal of Raptor Express when the mechanical failure occurred. Ski Patrol responded immediately and minor injuries were assessed on-site.”
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Prime example why lifts go on wind holds. Especially older Poma’s that don’t have reverse
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That doesn’t add up. Wind causes a “miscapture” ?!
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If the chair is swinging so much from wind (like an empty one, which this one was I believe) the alignment peg might not mesh with the horn in the terminal. This would mean that the chair would either be pushed back on the rope, or derailed completely. I think it makes sense
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A similar wind related event happened on the Poma Base to Base Gondola at Palisades in 2023.
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Correct. I’ve seen the aftermath when this happens. Typically the grip hits much further down the trumpet (the large flared rail outside the terminal) than normal because it’s swinging in the wind and bounces hard enough to hit the rest of the rails incorrectly. It’s violent and the chair stops moving *right now*. We’ve been fortunate not to have to rope-evac a left because of that; we were able to compress the springs and get the grip situated properly in the rails. We immediately removed it for detailed inspection, of course.
Because I can’t help myself, the ‘alignment peg’ isn’t a peg at all, but the guide or lateral roller. But I knew what you meant.
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Gotcha!!
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Im local enough, was told the chair was occupied, but no injuries. Was also told the initial incident occurred second tower from top. All this came second hand from locals on the gondola on Sunday Jan 18.
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I have info from two separate sources (one who was on the lift and one who was at the base) that there were people on this chair that were ejected
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I have heard this unofficially as well – and the reason this is a bigger story than simply a rope evacuation.
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Did the resort offer anything to the people who were stuck? Free pass or refund?
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Good example of why its still important to have backup lifts up, alot of mountains seem to be taking down their old lifts when scenarios like this prove that they’re still needed
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The cost to maintain a back-up lift that rarely if ever runs versus the inconvenience of a day or two of having the primary lift out of service- well there ya go. That’s why most mountains don’t keep back-up lifts.
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Lutsen’s statement:
“On Saturday, 1/17 at approximately 9:45 am, Lutsen Mountains experienced a mechanical failure on the Raptor Express chairlift which caused the lift to cease operating. After a thorough inspection, it was determined the guests on the lift would need to be evacuated. In total, 44 guests were evacuated by Lutsen Mountains Ski Patrol and transported to Lutsen’s Ski Patrol building and Eagle Ridge Registration building where cookies, hot drinks and guest services personnel awaited them. One guest experienced non-life threatening injuries as a result of the mechanical issue, and no guests were injured in the evacuation process.
At this time, Raptor Express remains closed until the upcoming weekend while the team awaits replacement parts. In the meantime, guests can continue to access the same terrain via Bridge Lift. Any updates will be made via our website, daily mountain report, and social media. Thank you for your patience during this time and we thank our ski patrol for their training and professionalism during the evacuation.”
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Lutsen confirmed to me four people fell from the chair that was at the top terminal. “Ski Patrol responded immediately and minor injuries were assessed on-site,” a spokesperson said.
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Honestly, All companies should make larger trumpets for their detachable terminals
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They’re plenty big. They’re designed to the latest CEN, ANSI, and CSA standards. Making them bigger wont’s change how the carrier and grip acts during a wind event.
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