A heart-stopping clip from Big Bear Mountain is making the rounds this week, showing a skier dangling beneath a moving chairlift while two companions cling to her arms as the chair rides uphill. Shot from another chair, the video follows the tense ride until the group reaches the unload area, where the skier appears to step off without serious injury. The stark footage has spread fast online and renewed chatter among Southern California visitors about the basics of loading and unloading lifts.
According to KABC/ABC7, the incident took place on Tuesday, and the Instagram video had already racked up more than 13 million views by the time the outlet reported on it. The station notes that two other riders can be seen holding the dangling skier by her arms as the chair approaches the unloading zone, and that she appears to make it off the lift without visible harm. No additional details were available in the initial coverage.
How common are chairlift falls?
Chairlift falls are uncommon, and industry data indicate that most passenger drops stem from rider error rather than a mechanical problem. The National Ski Areas Association lift safety fact sheet reports that only a small share of falls are linked to operator or equipment issues and that regular inspections and maintenance help keep aerial ropeways among the safest types of passenger transport, according to NSAA. That backdrop helps explain why on-mountain teams typically drill for quick response catches and tarp rescues when someone misloads a chair.
Industry push on guest education
Industry groups in the region have been putting extra spotlight on chairlift safety. Ski California's Safety Day last January zeroed in on loading, unloading, and what riders should do if someone is not fully seated. The statewide effort rolled out instructional materials and urged resorts to practice misload response, a step many operators say lowers risk and helps staff move faster when near miss videos like the Big Bear clip start circulating online, according to Ski California. The goal is to keep scares from turning into tragedies and to remind guests they can always ask for help with an unfamiliar lift.
Big Bear Mountain Resort, which runs Snow Summit and Bear Mountain in the San Bernardino Mountains, did not offer further details to local affiliates as the video spread, according to KABC/ABC7. The resort's website outlines lift safety programs and guest resources, and patrol teams at area mountains routinely train for misload rescues and tarp catches, per Big Bear Mountain Resort. For visitors, the fundamentals still do the heavy lifting: follow operator instructions, lower restraint bars where directed, and ask a staff member for help if you are unsure how to get on or off a chair safely.
