Author Archives: Jill Adler

Maine Chairlift Injures 7 In Freak Accident

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It was a parent’s nightmare today as many families witnessed a chairlift accident at Sugarloaf Ski Area in Maine. The King Pine lift’s brakes failed around 11:30 a.m., sending about nine chairs backward through the bullwheel and injuring seven guests. While no one was critically hurt, three are resting comfortably now in the hospital. It took operations about two hours to evacuate 204 people from the lift but some had already launched from the lift, attempting to jump to safety before it was too late.


“The lift was dangerous and erratic as it circled the wrong way around the bullwheel at the bottom. Chairs were swinging people off and into the chairlift structure (pole),” said guest David Souweine who happened to think quickly enough to yank out his cellphone and catch the action. “The lift at that location was 10-15 feet with soft snow underneath. The (chairlift accident) injuries were from people swung by the bullwheel (big wheel where the lift changes direction) not from those bailing off the chairs.“

“Jumping was the correct and safest action at the time. Gravity will yank the people loaded, backwards, RAPIDLY, into a concrete and steel structure, then spin around 180 degrees with you flying off into said structure,” said YouTube’s ScottieBoo. “It was the fact the brakes were not kicking in, if it never braked every single person near the top of the lift would be flying backwards at near terminal velocity which is unsafe to jump from.“

The fixed-grip quad lift was inspected and certified to operate last October according to a press release on Sugarloaf’s website but it is now closed pending a close investigation by the Maine Board of Elevator and Tramway Safety. Sugarloaf is set to host the U.S. Alpine Championship, March 25-29, so this kind of wreck is not the exposure they were hoping for; especially as it was only four seasons ago that Sugarloaf’s Spillway East lift derailed, dropping nine chairs to the ground and putting eight people in the hospital.

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In Utah ski lifts accidents are rare and usually occur when someone falls off. The last time anything mecahnical happened in Utah was in 1966 when two ladies died after being thrown off a scenic, summer lift ride at Sundance Resort.

Chocolate Ricotta Malt Recipe

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I’m no food blogger but I had these and couldn’t find the recipe online anywhere to “PIN”. They’re perfect for a warm, spring day. Figured I would add to the noise. These are sooo delish!

 

Makes 3 cups. Time: 10 min

2 c. ice cubes

1 c. part skim ricotta

¼ c malted milk powder

¼ c chocolate syrup

2 tbl skim or 1% milk

1 tsp vanilla extract

Blend all ingredients until smooth (not bits of ice left). Pour and serve.

 

What Skiers Do When The Snow Sucks

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I’m going to give it to you straight: It doesn’t matter how much snow fell in the Wasatch 10 days ago. Those conditions are LONG GONE. Even Powderchasers hasn’t posted a report in over a week. The National Weather Service news for Little Cottonwood Canyon whines “temp trends will continue to climb markedly. High pressure will nose a little south/east through Sunday allowing an increasing/warming southwesterly flow aloft to develop…with temps spiking to between +5 and +7 C at 700mb Sunday afternoon.” NO BUENO. The snow sucks.

If we’re lucky we may see a slight bit of snow Tuesday – Friday but forecasters aren’t feeling confident and it could just turn into rain/mist. And so it’s more like summer in the mountains. Ski days are limited to east and south facing slopes after 10, moving to sunny everything else in the afternoon, done by 2 or 3 before everything turns to mush. It’s no wonder I’m seeing cyclists and rockclimbers everywhere. People are finding alternative ways to love March and the last week of winter.

I found myself doing the same. My friend Mark called and asked if I wanted to climb. I felt conflicted for all of about three minutes. I could sit around moping and wishing for winter or I could get outside and play a different way. Plus, my dog was getting fat and lazy. He needed out as well.

The weather was stellar- bluebird skies, warm sun and not a drop of snow or mud on the trail up to the Hard Wall in American Fork Canyon. I wore my new Kari Traa base layer as an outer layer and packed a puffy just in case the sun had me fooled. Nope, I could have worn a T-shirt.

It felt awkward climbing in March. Normally, I’m struggling on 5.9s around May. But after today, I find myself looking forward to climbing season. Shame on me. I promise to get out to Alta on Sunday but in the meantime, a stop into Momentum Climbing Gym may just be on the agenda for Saturday.

The Easter Bunny’s Coming To The Mountains. Eat The Ears First

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It’s a no brainer. Someone hands you a cute chocolate bunny and the first thing you munch down on? The ears. According to a survey conducted just in time for Easter by the Chocolate Manufacturers Association (CMA) and National Confectioners Association (NCA), not only are chocolate bunnies the number one “must have” item in an Easter basket but they are to be consumed ears first.

“Apparently, this is the most appropriate way to enjoy a chocolate bunny,” said Larry Graham, president of CMA and NCA. Graham admits he’s no different. One thousand adults were surveyed and 76 percent said they start with the ears while only five percent head for the feet. I usually bite the butt but I’m in the minority (four percent).bunnies

When you’re done with the bunny you will most likely have a handful of jelly beans to contend with. More than 90 million chocolate bunnies and 16 billion jelly beans find their ways into our bellies.  But skiers, on the other hand are destined to consume more jelly beans than bunnies on Easter. There’s just no room for Bugs in those plastic eggs EB tosses out on the slopes.

Grab a basket and see for yourself on April 5-

Park City Mountain Resort

The Easter Bunny supervises a special egg hunt for kids under 6 in the Kid’s Korral at 9 a.m. sharp. Older children have an Easter Egg Hunt on the First Time face and adults can comb the mountain in search of the Golden Egg (containing a season pass) in the all-mountain hunt. EB scatters more than a hundred eggs for early risers to find. some have candy, others have fun prizes like alpine coaster tickets.

Deer Valley

The Easter Bunny visits Deer Valley’s Snow Park Lodge from 9 to 11 a.m.

Alta

Make sure you have the kids in front of Alta Java at Albion Lodge at 11 am. sharp to meet the Easter Bunny and find some of his hidden treasures buried in the snow. They will have three groups: 4 & under / 5-8 years / 9-12 years.

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Brighton

Dress like the Easter Bunny this Sunday and ski for free!! The Easter egg hunt in and around the Milly Chalet begins at 8 a.m. and will keep all ages entertained. Make sure to bring your boots, because you never know where the Easter Bunny hid his eggs! Grab some pancakes at the Milly Chalet. There will also be hard boiled eggs to dye and decorate.

Snowbird

Snowbird’s Easter begins with the annual Sunrise Service on Hidden Peak followed by a Pancake Breakfast Buffet at the Rendezvous or the Aerie Easter Brunch. Kids 6 and under are free.

The egg hunt starts in Chickadee Bowl at 9 a.m. for children up to 11. The three age divisions are: 4 & under, 5-7 and 8-11.

Snowbasin

Bring the children up to Snowbasin Resort for an Easter Egg Hunt and to see the Easter Bunny before enjoying a delicious Easter Brunch. Kids under 6 scramble at 10 a.m. Those 7-12 can get their eggs at 11. The Easter Brunch is from 10:30 am – 4:30 pm. Reservations required.

 

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