VTKilarney
Well-known member
What are some unusual and interesting things that will probably happen only once in your life while skiing?
Here is mine:
In the early 1980's, I was skiing with a friend at Wildcat. They had the two-passenger egg-shaped gondola cars back then. It was an EXTREMELY windy and cold day. Hardly anyone was at the mountain. We got to Wildcat at opening, and took a run off of the gondola. We decided to stick to the gondola for protection from the wind and cold. The lift attendants put cinder blocks on the floor of each gondola car to help prevent the cars from swaying in the wind. On our second attempt to ride the gondola, the wind was howling. We got to the loading area, and were all set to board. Just at that moment, a loud bell went off. My friend got really worried, since the bell was definitely a warning bell. I'm not sure why, but all I cared about was getting onto the gondola. I looked at my friend and said, "Just get in!"
We road to the top, and while it was VERY windy, there didn't seem to be any mechanical issues. When were were about 80% up the hill, I just happened to turn around to look behind us. Low and behold, we were the very last gondola car that went up the mountain that day. The uphill side of the cable behind us was empty.
The only lift left running was a chair that served the lower part of the mountain - and they had shut that down pretty quickly. I can't remember if we got a full refund or rain checks. Whatever we got, we headed straight to Black Mountain and skied the rest of the day. It was probably the coldest day I've ever had while skiing.
I'll never forget that ride in the gondola, swinging with the wind with a cinder block at our feet, knowing that we were the last skiers to make it to the top.
Here is mine:
In the early 1980's, I was skiing with a friend at Wildcat. They had the two-passenger egg-shaped gondola cars back then. It was an EXTREMELY windy and cold day. Hardly anyone was at the mountain. We got to Wildcat at opening, and took a run off of the gondola. We decided to stick to the gondola for protection from the wind and cold. The lift attendants put cinder blocks on the floor of each gondola car to help prevent the cars from swaying in the wind. On our second attempt to ride the gondola, the wind was howling. We got to the loading area, and were all set to board. Just at that moment, a loud bell went off. My friend got really worried, since the bell was definitely a warning bell. I'm not sure why, but all I cared about was getting onto the gondola. I looked at my friend and said, "Just get in!"
We road to the top, and while it was VERY windy, there didn't seem to be any mechanical issues. When were were about 80% up the hill, I just happened to turn around to look behind us. Low and behold, we were the very last gondola car that went up the mountain that day. The uphill side of the cable behind us was empty.
The only lift left running was a chair that served the lower part of the mountain - and they had shut that down pretty quickly. I can't remember if we got a full refund or rain checks. Whatever we got, we headed straight to Black Mountain and skied the rest of the day. It was probably the coldest day I've ever had while skiing.
I'll never forget that ride in the gondola, swinging with the wind with a cinder block at our feet, knowing that we were the last skiers to make it to the top.