UPDATE: Friday, Sept 19th – The B.C. Safety Authority says several factors contributed to accident at Crystal Mountain lift, including the condition of the tensioning system, configuration of the rope-catching device and placement of the chairlift tower. It has released a statement ahead of a full report expected this fall.
UPDATE: Sunday 5:00 p.m. — Crystal Mountain Resort’s operating license was suspended following the chairlift accident.
The BC Safety Authority (BCSA) says that license is still suspended.
“We issued a number of instructions to them in July, outlining work that would need to be done to resume operation,” says Quinn Newcomb, BCSA Spokesperson. “As far as we know, that work hasn’t been completed.”
Newcomb wouldn’t elaborate on what that mandatory work is, but does say BCSA is not confident Crystal Mountain is meeting safety standards.
WEST KELOWNA — A West Kelowna ski hill has unexpectedly announced that it won’t be opened for this upcoming winter season.
Crystal Mountain resort posted on its Facebook page that “the mountain will not be in operation” for the 2014 to 2015 ski season.
It reassures Facebook fans that “this is not a goodbye” and it plans to re-open next winter.
Many people replying to the post saying that this is a sad day.
Last March, the ski season ended earlier than expected after a chairlift collapsed.
Four people suffered injuries and were taken to hospital.
BC Safety Authority launched an investigation shortly after the accident.
Today, it tells Global News that it is still completing its report, but that has no influence on whether the ski hill opens or closes.
We reached Crystal Mountain for comment, but its phone number is no longer in service.
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