What happens when the power goes out?

Sad but true, and perhaps frightening: chair lifts can stop running, even as people are being carried up the mountain.

Last season, this happened locally–on a rare powder day, no less!. The power was out for about an hour, which means that some unfortunate souls not only missed out on some good skiing and riding, but they also had 60 minutes to sit 30 feet above the ground, unable to move. That had to be uncomfortable, in more ways than one.

Eventually, the ski area’s backup generators kicked in, but they were so low-powered that it took the area staff another hour to get everyone off the lifts. At least that’s what I remember from a conversation I had with some teenagers who were there when it happened the day before.

Sometimes, as with that case, you simply have to wait it out if the lifts stop running. In more serious conditions–say the power is going to be out for a long time or the windchills are dipping into the dangerous realm–the ski patrol kicks into gear with a chair evacuation.

I’ve never been involved in one or even seen a practice, but from what I understand, it involves throwing a rope over the lift line and lowering down each person in a harness. Being lowered to the ground in a leather diaper isn’t something most people would voluntarily do, but it beats the alternatives.

Naturally, participating in evacuation drills is standard procedure for ski patrols.

Just another reason why I’m not a patroller.