Ski Lift Accidents: What You Need to Know

How Does a Ski Lift Work?

To understand how ski lift accidents happen, it’s important to first get an idea of how these lifts operate. One of the most common types of ski lifts is the chairlift, which is made up of a looped cable with a large pulley at each end. The chairs hang from the cable and stay in place with the use of a mechanical grip.

This grip is similar to a vise, and it prevents the chair from slipping back. To keep the cable from dropping, there is a series of towers along its length.

These days, most ski lifts rely on electric motors, but diesel generators are usually ready to take over if power fails. Besides chairlifts, other ski lift types include:

• Funiculars and cable cars
• Gondolas
• Drag lifts
• Button lifts
• T-bars
• Rope tows

Most of these ski lifts have safety features, such as metal bars that hold you in place while the lift moves and emergency stops that can occur automatically or be triggered manually by an operator. Some lifts even have a variety of sensors that allow operators to check rope tension and other variables, further reducing the risk of accidents. Despite these preventative measures, accidents are always a possibility, especially when negligence is involved.

What Are the Causes of Ski Lift Accidents?

Ski lift accidents can happen for a number of reasons, ranging from human to mechanical error:

• Operator Error: Accidents may occur during the loading and unloading process if operators do not properly assist passengers, fail to react promptly to issues, or do not offer enough instructions or warnings.
• Mechanical Problems: In some cases, the problem comes down to the lift itself. There may be design flaws that impact how the lift works, or a failing part may not have been serviced by maintenance staff.
• Passenger Errors: Passengers can also cause accidents if they do not follow safety protocols while riding the lift, for instance, by rocking the lift or shifting too much weight to one side.
• Inclement Weather: Severe weather issues, especially high winds, can make the operation of the ski lifts much more dangerous. While these events are sometimes difficult to foresee, resorts are generally responsible for monitoring the local weather and preemptively closing lifts.

Examples of Ski Lift Incidents Leading to Injuries

Red Lodge Mountain (Montana, 2025)

At Red Lodge Mountain, a 37-year-old man fell from a chairlift and later died from his injuries. Officials confirmed the lift had experienced a mechanical issue at the time of the incident, and passengers were evacuated from the line afterward while the system was shut down for review.

Attitash Mountain Resort (New Hampshire, 2025)

At Attitash Mountain Resort, a chair detached from the cable mid-operation, injuring a rider who fell to the ground below. State fire officials later stated that a mechanical failure was responsible for the chair becoming dislodged, and the lift was taken out of service while the manufacturer assisted in the investigation.

Sugarloaf Mountain (Maine, 2015)

A chairlift at Sugarloaf experienced a sudden rollback, which allowed the lift to move in reverse, injuring multiple skiers who either fell or jumped during the emergency. Engineers later identified a gearbox failure as the trigger.

Camelback Resort (Pennsylvania, 2021)

At Camelback Resort in Pennsylvania, a father and his two children were injured after a chair fell from the Sullivan Express lift during operation. The incident later resulted in a lawsuit that alleged the lift operator witnessed the lift shaking and swinging but failed to stop or shut it down.

Park City Mountain Resort (Utah, 2023)

At Park City Mountain Resort, a ski patrol employee died after being ejected from a chairlift when a tree fell onto the lift cable during heavy snowfall. The incident led to a temporary shutdown of the lift and a review of terrain and vegetation management around lift infrastructure.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Ski Lift Accident?

Determining liability in a ski lift accident depends on what caused the incident and how the failure occurred. In many cases, more than one party may share responsibility.

• Ski resorts / lift operators: The resort or its employees may be responsible if the accident involves operational issues, such as improper supervision during loading or unloading, failure to respond to a developing hazard, or unsafe lift operation practices.
• Lift manufacturers: If a mechanical defect, design flaw, or equipment failure contributed to the accident, the manufacturer or supplier of the lift system may be held responsible under product liability laws.
• Maintenance or inspection companies: Third-party contractors responsible for inspecting, servicing, or maintaining lift equipment may be liable if a failure to properly perform those duties contributed to the incident.
• Other responsible parties: Depending on the circumstances, additional parties may share responsibility if their actions or failures contributed to unsafe lift conditions or the events leading up to the injury.

Types of Compensation Available After a Ski Lift Accident

Ski lift accidents can result in serious injuries that affect nearly every part of a person’s life, from immediate medical needs to long-term recovery and the ability to work. A personal injury claim allows victims to pursue compensation that addresses both the financial and personal impact of those injuries, including:

• Medical expenses: This includes emergency treatment, hospital care, surgery, rehabilitation, follow-up appointments, and any necessary long-term or future medical treatment related to the injury.
• Lost income: If an injury prevents someone from working, compensation may cover wages lost during recovery. In more serious cases, it may also include reduced future earning capacity if the injury limits the ability to return to the same type of work.
• Pain and suffering: This addresses the physical pain and emotional impact of an injury, including ongoing discomfort, anxiety, and reduced quality of life.
• Loss of enjoyment of life: In cases involving long-term or permanent injuries, compensation may account for the inability to return to normal activities, including skiing and other recreational pursuits.

Ski Lift Safety Tips To Keep in Mind

While ski lifts are generally safe when operating properly, many incidents occur during loading, unloading, or moments when riders are off balance or unsure how to respond. Knowing a few basic safety practices can help reduce risk in these higher-exposure situations.

• Remain seated properly for the entire ride and avoid shifting weight or adjusting gear while the lift is in motion, as many injuries occur when riders lose balance during ascent.
• Pay close attention during loading and unloading, where timing and positioning are most critical and where a large share of lift-related incidents tend to occur.
• Follow all posted instructions and lift operator signals, especially at boarding and exit points where conditions can change quickly.
• Keep loose equipment secured and be mindful of backpacks, straps, and clothing that could become caught during boarding or disembarking.
• If the lift stops unexpectedly, remain seated and wait for instructions from ski patrol or lift staff rather than attempting to get off on your own.

While no set of precautions can eliminate risk entirely, understanding how injuries commonly occur on ski lifts can help riders make safer decisions in real time.