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West Kelowna  

Slope safety still a concern

The BC Safety Authority has completed the data collection and analysis phase of their investigation into the Crystal Mountain ski resort in West Kelowna.

A full report is expected later this fall, which is expected to discuss how the following factors contributed to the incident:

  • Condition of the tensioning system
  • Configuration of the rope-catching device installed at the tower where the deropement occurred.
  • Placement of the tower that experienced the deropement relative to other towers and loading area.

Four skiers had to be taken to hospital after the full deropement of a double chairlift sent three chairs crashing to the ground March 1, 2014.

“Most incidents are the result of numerous factors and the investigation report that BCSA is preparing will discuss those factors in detail,” says Jason Gill, BCSA Safety Manager of Passenger Ropeways and Amusement Devices.

The onsite portion of the investigation was concluded in June, with the BCSA issuing a number of instructions and requirements to Crystal Mountain in July. That work was not completed, according to the BCSA, and the mountain itself announced this past weekend they would not be opening for the 2014/2015 ski season.

As of Sept. 19, the mountain’s operating license is still suspended. It will not be reissued until the safety authority is satisfied that all safety standards have been met.

“We will grant a full operating permit only once we are satisfied that the lifts at Crystal Mountain Resort are safe for passengers,” says Gill. “With the ski season around the corner, the public should be very confident that ski lifts in the province are safe.”

The BCSA goes on to say that ski lift incidents of this nature are quite uncommon and the number of reported injuries from passenger ropeways has been steadily declining since 2009.



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