Gondola tower partially collapsed at Whistler

Gondola tower partially collapsed at Whistler

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7786967.stm

More detailed:

http://www.ctvbc.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20081216/BC_blackcomb_gondola_081216/20081216?hub=BritishColumbia

Hope the few people that went to hospital are OK.

Its one of those things you take for granted when you go skiing - the maintenance and efficiency of the cable cars, gondolas, lifts etc. I have always felt happy sitting in one, assuming they get a thoroughly good inspection before the season starts. However, as much as the cable and the cars can be checked, one does wonder about the towers right up the mountain. Often it just looks like a few big bolts into a concrete base.
Its the really big cable cars where I think people worry a lot more. My friends other half doesnt do cable cars at all, and it took a huge amount of courage to get her on to one last year. Those big cabins with over 100 people in often only have 1 pylon on the way up, and the cabin gets a good swing on at times, which often gets a few gasps!
Anyway, lets hope this is the last incident for a long time, and that everyone involved in this one is ok.

I bet the resort authorities are very relieved it wasn't the new peak to peak cable car!

Hope all are OK and they can get it fixed quickly.

Dorset Boy wrote:I bet the resort authorities are very relieved it wasn't the new peak to peak cable car!

Only read about that new cable car today. If it had have been that one there would have been some interesting new decoration of the terrain below. Thanks christ it wasn't.