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BLACKCOMB’S EXCALIBUR GONDOLA COLLAPSES; NO SERIOUS INJURIES REPORTED

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SAM Magazine—Whistler, B.C., Dec. 16, 2008—At approximately 2:30 p.m. PST, a tower on lower section of the Excalibur gondola at Blackcomb Mountain split and “bent over,” leaving several gondola cars dangling from the line and forcing an emergency evacuation that, at 5 p.m. PST, was still underway. Five people have received medical attention, but no serious injuries have been reported. Cause of the incident is still being investigated.

The 7,000-foot-long Excalibur rises about 1,200 vetical feet and is the main access lift out of Whistler Village for Blackcomb Mountain. It has an intermediate station about a quarter of the way up the line.

The incident occurred at tower four, between the base terminal and the mid-station. According to some reports, the tower snapped in half, and was said to be listing severely. Dozens of people were reported to be on the lift.

Reports have indicated that the line above the base terminal was sagging severely, with several of the eight-passenger gondolas dangling close to the ground. One had come to rest on a bus shelter, according to some reports. However, all injuries were said to be minor.

At the time of the incident, at least six people were trapped inside the cabin closest to the base of the mountain. That car was hovering a few feet above the ground before it came to rest on top of the bus shelter.

A second gondola, about 150 feet further up the mountain, was hovering 15 feet or so above Fitzsimmons Creek, between Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains.

The section of the Excalibur above the midstation was evacuated without incident.