Vail’s Little Eagle chair shut down, evacuated
Vail’s Little Eagle chairlift (Chair 15) shut down just before noon on Sunday, requiring a ski patrol roped evacuation for the beginner lift near the top of the Eagle Bahn Gondola.
Vail Resorts officials issued the following statement via email on Monday:
“At approximately 11:55 a.m., Little Eagle at Vail Mountain stopped operating. Around 12:12 p.m., the decision was made to have ski patrol rope evacuate guests. Vail Mountain Ski Patrol evacuated approximately 40 guests, and the evacuation was safely completed at 1:28 p.m.
“We apologize to our skiers and riders who were inconvenienced by this event and greatly appreciate the efforts of our team members who safely took care of our guests. We place the highest value on the safety of our guests and will resolve the issue before reopening Little Eagle to the public. Until then, the lift will remain closed.”
Asked if there were any injuries or hospitalizations as a result of the evacuation, a spokesperson responded, “the statement is all we have to share at this time.”
As of Monday afternoon, Little Eagle was listed as closed on the Vail Mountain’s terrain and lift status web page.
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