Two Skiers Hospitalized After Falling From Chairlift at Vail Mountain

Two skiers from California were taken to the hospital Monday after falling from a chairlift at Vail Mountain, according to resort officials.

Vail Mountain Ski Patrol responded to reports that a 59-year-old man from Sherman Oaks and a 21-year-old man from Rancho Palos Verdes fell from the Mountaintop Express Lift, also known as Lift No. 4. No. 4 is one of the resort’s primary lifts serving intermediate and advanced terrain.

Both men were transported to Vail Health Hospital. Their conditions were not immediately released.

Vail Mountain did not provide additional details regarding how or why the fall occurred, saying the incident remains under review.

The incident marks the second chairlift-related accident reported at a Colorado ski resort this season. On Thursday, Nov. 13, a snowboarder was injured after falling from the Montezuma Express chairlift at Keystone Resort. Luckily, the snowboarder's injuries were "not critical" in that case.

Resort officials have not indicated whether the Mountaintop Express experienced mechanical issues or whether operations were disrupted following Monday’s incident.

Chairlift falls are rare in North America, where lifts are subject to regular state and federal inspections and daily operational checks by resort staff. When incidents do occur, investigations typically examine a combination of mechanical performance, environmental conditions such as wind, and rider behavior.

Keep an eye out for future coverage as we receive more information.

Vail Mountain is one of the largest and most visited ski resorts in North America, spanning more than 5,300 acres of lift-served terrain in Colorado’s Central Rockies. The resort operates more than 30 chairlifts and draws skiers and riders from around the world each winter. Vail is owned and operated by Vail Resorts, which manages a large portfolio of ski areas around the world.