A ski lift ride in California turned into a serious “hold-your-breath” moment this week, and it has skiers everywhere paying a little closer attention.
The incident involved a 12-year-old snowboarder who ended up dangling from a chairlift after something went wrong. Video shows her hanging on while ski patrol and first responders scrambled below, throwing down padding and safety netting in hopes of catching her if she fell. Then—heart-stopping stuff—she dropped, missing most of the net.
Here’s the crazy (and awesome) part: she got up and walked away. No broken bones. No major injuries. Just one unbelievable story and a whole lot of relieved people.
Lift incidents like this are rare, but they’re a reminder that skiing and riding always come with a bit of risk. In Montana—home to big-name resorts like Big Sky and plenty of smaller community hills—safety is a huge focus. Resorts routinely inspect lifts, train staff for emergencies, and drill ski patrol on lift evacuations, especially during busy winter stretches.
For skiers and riders, the basics still matter: sit back, drop the safety bar when it’s there, stay put until unload, and don’t mess around on the chair. It is simple stuff, but it goes a long way toward keeping lift rides boring—in the best way possible.
As ski season rolls on across the West, the California scare is a reminder that things can go sideways fast—but preparation, quick response, and a little luck can make all the difference. If you are looking for the latest snow report from Montana ski resorts, click here.
