SAM Magazine-Whistler, B.C., Dec. 24, 2008-Blackcomb's Excalibur Gondola reopened today after the BC Safety Authority reinstated the operating permit for the lower line of the lift. The gondola's tower 4 failed Dec. 16, and repair work was completed Monday. Testing and inspection took place throughout Tuesday in accordance with BC Safety Authority and Doppelmayr test protocol.

"We are extremely pleased with the efficiency in which we have been able to return this lift to operation," said Wayne Wiltse, Whistler Blackcomb's lift maintenance manager. "The tower has been rebuilt, and the cable has been inspected. They have both been non-destructively tested to ensure they meet all code requirements. A thorough inspection, as outlined in Whistler Blackcomb's Safety Management Plan, and following procedures recommended by the lift manufacturer, has been undertaken to ensure the safety of our guests. In addition, the BC Safety Authority has been on-site Tuesday doing its own inspection before reinstating our operating certificate."

In accordance with the lift manufacturer's test protocol, Whistler Blackcomb lift maintenance crews perform a "sounding" test on the towers to check for the presence of water. This test was considered an effective way to check for the presence of water in towers. Following the failure of tower 4, all Doppelmayr lift towers across Whistler Blackcomb were checked for water build-up. This was done first by Whistler Blackcomb lift maintenance crews on Tuesday night after the incident. A secondary inspection was undertaken by Whistler Blackcomb in conjunction with the BC Safety Authority the next morning before operations commenced for the day. Since then, BC Safety Authority has issued a Safety Order requiring all BC ski resorts to inspect all lift towers for water, regardless of manufacturer. In light of the Excalibur incident, Doppelmayr has revised its test protocol to now include concrete filled towers.

The investigation into last week's tower failure continues. The tower failed due to ice-jacking: Water had accumulated within the tower, then transformed to ice to a point whereby the pressure from the ice created a rupture that separated the two sections of the tower. Prior testing had not revealed this ice build-up due to the tower being concrete-filled. \

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