A Chilling Ordeal Averted: 59 Skiers Rescued from Stranded Chairlift in New Hampshire

Imagine the scene: a crisp winter afternoon, perfect for carving turns on fresh snow. But then, silence. The rhythmic whir of the chairlift grinds to an abrupt halt. Suddenly, you're suspended, high above the pristine slopes, the wind nipping at your ears. That's exactly the predicament 59 individuals found themselves in recently at Dartmouth Skiway in Lyme, New Hampshire, on the afternoon of January 29th. For hours, they hung in the balance, waiting, wondering.

The cause? A mechanical failure, specifically a bearing issue, which brought an older, fixed-grip double chairlift to an unexpected and complete standstill. It's the kind of news that sends a shiver down your spine, not just from the cold, but from the sheer vulnerability of the situation. Being stuck on a chairlift isn't just an inconvenience; it can be genuinely frightening, especially as daylight fades and temperatures begin to drop.

Thankfully, a swift and monumental response was already in motion. What unfolded was a masterclass in inter-agency cooperation. The Lyme Fire Department, acting as the lead, quickly marshaled resources, calling upon a small army of dedicated professionals. We're talking about teams from Hanover Fire, Enfield Fire, Upper Valley Ambulance, the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, along with invaluable assistance from Dartmouth Skiway Ski Patrol and Dartmouth Emergency Medical Services. It was an all-hands-on-deck situation, and you could feel the collective determination to get everyone down safely.

Rescuers, trained and prepared for just such an emergency, began the painstaking process of evacuating each person one by one. This isn't a quick job, you can imagine. It involves ascending to each chair, securing the individual, and then carefully lowering them to the ground using ropes and harnesses. You can only picture the immense patience required, both from the rescuers performing these delicate maneuvers and from the skiers waiting their turn, enduring the cold and the uncertainty. The operation stretched on for a significant period, reportedly taking between three and a half to four grueling hours.

The relief must have been palpable as each skier finally touched down on solid ground. And here's the best part, the truly vital takeaway from this whole ordeal: despite the prolonged exposure to the elements and the inherent risks of a chairlift rescue, absolutely no injuries were reported. Not a single one. It’s a powerful testament to the meticulous planning, the exceptional skill of the rescuers, and the remarkable calm shown by those who were stranded.

This incident serves as a profound reminder of the dedication of our emergency services and the critical importance of well-rehearsed safety protocols at ski resorts. While a chairlift breakdown is certainly a dramatic event, the ultimate success of this rescue operation underscores the professionalism and collaborative spirit that shines brightest when challenges arise. A moment of potential crisis transformed into a story of incredible human effort and, most importantly, a completely safe return for everyone involved.