Skiers stranded after chairlift stops working at Sasquatch Mountain Resort
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Crews worked for hours Sunday to rescue stranded skiers and snowboarders at Sasquatch Mountain Resort near Agassiz, after a chairlift stopped working shortly after opening.
The stoppage forced rescue crews to perform rope evacuations of more than 100 skiers and snowboarders from the Sasquatch Chair, also known as the Green Chair. Each lift seats up to three people.
Temperature at the time the lift stopped working was about minus-5 degrees Celsius. The evacuation was completed around 1:30 p.m.
The resort has been plagued with intermittent power issues this weekend, due to winter storm conditions across B.C. The Green chairlift was also closed for some time on Saturday but was reopened on Sunday morning.
https://www.facebook.com/sasquatchmountainresort/photos/a.472130928872.248984.47760518872/10155178931683873/?type=3&theater
Formerly known as the Hemlock Valley Mountain Resort, the property had undergone some revitalization this year, with a newly-expanded tube park and improved kitchen and restaurant seating.
Applications had also been submitted with the province and local regional district, proposing a new high-speed quad chair to replace its current Skyline Chair, which seats only two people per chair. Other proposed additions include a 250-bed hostel for guests and resort staff, a campground and a zip line course.
The resort, located between Mission and Agassiz, is owned by Ralph Berezan of the Langley-based Berezan Group. Berezan had said the hope was to turn the ski resort into a year-round destination with summer activities on offer.
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