Dozens Rescued After Gondola Stops at New York Ski Resort

Mechanical issue leaves skiers stranded for hours at Gore Mountain in the Adirondacks

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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Nearly 70 skiers and snowboarders were rescued after a mechanical problem caused the Northwoods Gondola at Gore Mountain ski resort in New York's Adirondacks to stop, leaving them stranded for several hours. Ski patrol and state forest rangers safely lowered the guests using ropes and harnesses, and no injuries were reported.

Why it matters

Ski resort gondola incidents can be frightening experiences for guests, raising safety concerns. Gore Mountain is a major Adirondack destination, so this disruption impacted many visitors to the region. The resort's quick response and successful evacuation helped mitigate the situation.

The details

The incident occurred on February 4, 2026, when a mechanical alignment issue caused the Northwoods Gondola at Gore Mountain to stop, affecting 20 cabins and 67 guests. Ski patrol and state forest rangers worked for hours to safely lower everyone using ropes and harnesses. The lift resumed operations the following day after repairs were completed.

  • On February 4, 2026, the Northwoods Gondola at Gore Mountain stopped due to a mechanical issue.
  • The evacuation was completed later that day.

The players

Gore Mountain

The largest ski resort in New York State, located in the Adirondacks and owned by the state, offering 121 trails, 2,537 vertical feet, and 14 lifts.

ORDA

The state organization that operates Gore Mountain ski resort.

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What they’re saying

“Today brought an unexpected challenge at Gore Mountain when a mechanical issue required us to conduct an evacuation of the Northwoods Gondola.”

— Gore Mountain (Facebook)

“The evacuation was completed safely and successfully, thanks to the training and preparedness of our mountain operations and ski patrol teams who train for these events.”

— Gore Mountain (Facebook)

What’s next

Gore Mountain has completed all safety checks and returned the Northwoods Gondola to service.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the importance of ski resorts having robust emergency response plans and well-trained staff to handle unexpected mechanical failures and safely evacuate guests when necessary, ensuring the safety of visitors to these popular winter destinations.