Crystal Mountain resort in the 2013-2014 season. (Photo Credit: Crystal Mountain Twitter)
Crystal Mountain Resort in West Kelowna has announced that they will not be open for the 2014-2015 season.
The resort closed early in March after an incident involving a double chairlift. Four were injured and taken to the hospital after a cable came loose and sent an empty chair into a tower. The chair crashed to the ground from 25 feet in the air, sending other chairs to the ground as well. Two people were critically injured and two others had minor injuries.
The BC Safety Authority released a statement that a non-functioning tensioning system was a possible cause. Crystal Mountain remained closed for the rest of the season for investigations, with both Silver Star and Big White honouring Crystal Mountain season passes at their own resorts.
Prayers for all invoked at #Crystal mountain BC chair accident pic.twitter.com/DdaMbDu3GW
— PLYWOOD QUEEN (@Plywoodqueen) March 1, 2014
Thankfully for avid skiers and snowboarders, Crystal Mountain made their announcement on Saturday in time for their usual customers to buy early bird passes at other hills. They were waiting for word from the owner and the insurance company about the status of the mountain.
The resort declared on Facebook Saturday that they plan to open for the 2015-2016, saying that “this is not a goodbye”. As promised, season pass holders will receive refunds.
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