Lift accident marks end of season for Crystal Mountain
WEST KELOWNA – Crystal Mountain Resort has announced that it will remain closed for the rest of the season.
The resort made the announcement Thursday, saying the B.C. Safety Authority has not completed its investigation into the cause of a March 1 chairlift malfunction that left several people seriously injured.
Crystal Mountain general manager Mike Morin said in a release that the investigation is likely to extend into next month.
“We might have been able to open for one last weekend at best,” he said, “but the chances of that happening are slim. Pending the scope of the investigation, it seemed unrealistic to try and rush the process to be open for just a couple of days.”
The mountain was scheduled to close for the season on March 23 and Morin said season pass holders will be given credit for the shortened season that can be applied to next year’s pass.
Morin also states in the release that the four victims of the accident, in which a cable on one of the ski lifts broke free and sent chairs and four passengers plummeting 7 metres to the ground, have been released from hospital.
Those injured include a ski instructor employed by the resort, two volunteer ski patrol personnel and a 16-year-old boy.
To contact the reporter for this story, email Adam Proskiw at aproskiw@infotelnews.ca, call (250) 718-0428.
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