5 hospitalized after ski lift accident at Heavenly Ski Resort in Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE — At least five people were hospitalized after an incident on a chairlift at Heavenly Ski Resort, officials confirmed Monday.

The Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District said crews arrived at the ski area near Stagecoach Lodge shortly after 10 a.m. All five patients were taken to Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno for treatment. The nature and extent of their injuries were not yet known.

A spokesman for Heavenly Ski Resort issued a statement shortly after 3 p.m. confirming that an incident had occurred on the Comet Express chairlift, but did not say how the five people were injured. The statement said:

“Heavenly Mountain Resort can confirm an incident on its Comet Express chairlift today, Monday, December 23, 2024. The safety of our guests is our top priority and the resort is investigating the incident.”

CBS Sacramento obtained images from a witness at the resort who said he saw one chairlift slide backwards into another, causing riders to fall to the ground.

Heavenly Ski Resort said it is investigating the incident.