Dozens Rescued from Stalled Ski Gondolas in Upstate New York

Skiers trapped for hours after mechanical issue at Gore Mountain resort

Published on Feb. 5, 2026

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Dozens of skiers were dramatically rescued from stalled gondola cabins at the Gore Mountain ski resort in North Creek, New York after a mechanical problem left them stranded several feet in the air for hours. The entire rescue mission took five hours, with no injuries reported.

Why it matters

Ski lift malfunctions and evacuations are rare but can be traumatic experiences for those involved. This incident highlights the importance of safety protocols and trained staff to handle such emergencies at ski resorts, which are popular winter destinations for many.

The details

The lift system at Gore Mountain was forced to shut down on Wednesday after its tower wheel assembly moved out of alignment, leaving 67 skiers stuck in 20 towering gondola cabins. State park rangers and resort staff worked to climb lift poles, scale the cables between cabins, and use ropes and harnesses to lower each person to the ground.

  • The incident occurred on Wednesday, February 5, 2026.
  • The entire rescue mission took five hours to complete.

The players

Gore Mountain

A ski resort in North Creek, New York operated by the New York State Olympic Regional Development Authority.

Kevin Bolan

A 64-year-old physician assistant and longtime skier who was among those rescued from the stalled gondolas.

New York State Olympic Regional Development Authority

The organization that operates Gore Mountain and said the mechanical issue triggered a safety sensor that stopped the lift immediately.

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What they’re saying

“It was sobering and something that I'll probably carry with me for the rest of my life.”

— Kevin Bolan, Physician Assistant (Associated Press)

“You think nothing of getting on a lift or getting on a gondola, and now you're going to think twice. You're going to make sure you go to the bathroom and maybe have a power bar with you and make sure you're prepared, just like if you were going into the woods on a hike.”

— Kevin Bolan, Physician Assistant (Associated Press)

What’s next

The New York State Olympic Regional Development Authority said the gondola lift at Gore Mountain has reopened as of Thursday, February 6, 2026 after the mechanical issue was resolved.

The takeaway

This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of robust safety protocols and well-trained staff at ski resorts to handle emergencies and evacuations. While rare, lift malfunctions can be traumatic experiences for guests, underscoring the need for resorts to be prepared to respond quickly and effectively to protect public safety.