Mechanical issue on NH ski lift requires 64 passengers to be evacuated on Wednesday

A New Hampshire ski resort closed one of its ski lifts on Wednesday after 64 passengers had to be evacuated following a mechanical issue, Cannon Mountain said.

At around 10:13 a.m., a bolt that was attached to the power takeoff shaft failed on the Peabody Express Quad lift, the resort said in a statement on Facebook. Cannon Mountain Ski Patrol employees and additional mountain operations personnel onsite conducted a rope evacuation.

By 12:23 p.m., all 64 passengers were safely evacuated.

“While all chairlifts and equipment at Cannon undergo regular inspection and testing, mechanical issues can occasionally occur,” the statement read. “All guests at the mountain were offered the option of a refund or a credit for a future visit, in addition to complimentary hospitality at the base area.”

All guests on the mountain were offered either a refund or a credit for a future visit, along with complimentary hospitality at the base area, Cannon wrote.

Operations were reduced during the rest of the day, though service was available at the Mittersill Double, Tuckerbrook, Eagle Cliff and Zoomer lifts.

The incident comes three days after a man on a ski lift at Attitash Mountain Resort fell 20 feet. He was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.