Mechanical Failure the Cause of Fatal Granby Ranch Chairlift Incident

Today the Denver Post reported that the recent fatality at Granby Ranch Ski Area in Colorado was a result of mechanical chairlift failure.

Kelly Huber, 40,and her two children were riding the “Quickdraw Express” at Granby Ranch on December 29, 2016.  About a third of the way up the lift, their chair struck a lift tower causing Ms. Huber and her two children to be ejected from their chair.  They fell 25 to the ground onto packed snow.  Ms. Huber was killed in the incident.  Her children were reportedly seriously injured, but survived the fall.

The Colorado Passenger Tramway Safety Board investigated the incident.  Its reported noted that the electrical drive control system on the lift contributed to a “rare dynamic event” at the time of the incident.  The Board reported that “the facts of the incident show that on December 29, 2016, and unreasonable hazard existed in the continued operation of the lift.”

Granby Ranch plans to reopen the lift this week.  They will reportedly run it at a slower speed and increase surveillance and inspection of the lift.

Our deepest condolences go out to Ms. Huber’s family.

Here’s a link to the Denver Post article:

Fatal chairlift fall at Ski Granby Ranch happened during mechanical problem, state report says