Maintenance Accident Kills One, Injures Another at Mt. Hood Skibowl

A work carrier fell from the Upper Bowl chair at Mt. Hood Skibowl Thursday morning, killing one employee and injuring another. According to the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office, a third employee on scene placed a call for help and began CPR. Deputies responded along with Hoodland Fire, Clackamas Fire, American Medical Response, Search and Rescue volunteers, and U.S. Forest Service law enforcement. “Medics reached the patients shortly after 10 a.m.,” read a statmement from the Sheriff’s Office. “One person was conscious and breathing. The second patient did not have a pulse. Despite lifesaving efforts, that person was pronounced dead at the scene.” The surviving patient was transported by helicopter to a Portland hospital. The incident will be investigated as a workplace death and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has been notified.

The lift was not open to the public at the time as Mt. Hood Skibowl is currently between winter and summer operations. Riblet constructed the Upper Bowl chair in 1975.

5 thoughts on “Maintenance Accident Kills One, Injures Another at Mt. Hood Skibowl

  1. Ian Hersom's avatar Ian Hersom April 30, 2026 / 5:45 pm

    This was always my worst fear as a lift mechanic. Especially on older double chairs.

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  2. tjalakeo's avatar tjalakeo April 30, 2026 / 5:58 pm

    That chair goes up steep terrain and at times is a long ways above the ground. At 50 years old it probably should be replaced.

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    • Owen Mitchem's avatar Owen Mitchem April 30, 2026 / 6:58 pm

      I mean… the Cascade chair has major components dating to 1949 and Ski Bowl isn’t exactly flush with cash. After being forced to shutter their mountain bike park and only opening for a handful of days this season, they can’t seem to catch a break.

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