Editor’s note: Stories in this list received the most page views on SummitDaily.com for the past week.
1. Rope rescues ensue when lift loses power at Breckenridge Ski Resort
Skiers and snowboarders were stranded on the Quicksilver SuperChair after it lost power at Breckenridge Ski Resort. The ski area’s ski patrol began rope evacuations after the riders had been stuck on the chair for almost an hour. About 30 minutes after the rope-line evacuations began, maintenance got the Quicksilver SuperChair up and running again, at which time ski patrol stopped its rescues and the remaining guests were unloaded. No one was hurt.
Two men, ages 52 and 66, died due to cardiac issues while skiing at Keystone Resort over the Christmas holiday weekend. While tree hits, fatal falls and avalanches are usually the biggest fears for skiers, cardiovascular problems are also a common cause for sudden death on the slopes. In Summit County, there were 23 cardiac-related deaths in 2016, with 19 coming up here from lower elevations and suffering cardiac issues soon after coming to altitude. Several studies have found a positive correlation between high altitude and cardiac death, because of the stress altitude puts on the body to deliver oxygen. However, there has yet to be a definitive link established between altitude and cardiovascular death, as heart problems can be complex and multi-faceted.
3. Opening of new American Flyer lift again delayed at Copper Mountain Resort
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After having to push back a Christmas opening for Copper Mountain’s new American Flyer lift, the resort on Jan. 1 announced a further delay. Copper posted on its social media channels that unexpected complications related to the new lift’s automation software caused the most recent delays.
“We expect these programming malfunctions to be resolved within days and allow the project to get back on schedule,” Copper said on Twitter.
4. Vail’s single-day, window lift ticket price hits $209; Aspen at $179
Vail Mountain and Beaver Creek surpassed the $200 mark for walk-up lift tickets this season, charging $209 per day. Other ski areas aren’t too far behind, with Aspen Skiing Co. charging $179 for walk-up window price, and Breckenridge at $189 per day at the window and $179 if purchased online. All resorts do offer discounts for multi-day tickets that are purchased in advance. Season passes accounted for about 43 percent of skier and snowboarder visits last season, according to National Ski Areas Association, a ski industry trade group.
5. Family remembers Arvada man who died following cardiac event at Keystone Resort
Friends and family remember Daniel Mares after he passed suddenly following a cardiac episode at Keystone Resort on Dec. 22. Those close to the 52-year-old said his life was characterized largely by his effortless intellectualism, a carefree and joyful disposition, and the love he shared with his children.
“He was always smiling about something,” said Courtney Mares, Daniel’s daughter. “He was just positive. And he always made it very clear how much he loved us and how proud of us he was. He was very vocal about that stuff.”
Social Calls are comments pulled from the Summit Daily’s website and Facebook page.
“I am shocked, I tell you. Absolutely shocked.” — AJ Pfatschbacher on “Opening of new American Flyer lift again delayed at Copper Mountain Resort”
“The ski industry has priced themselves out of a generation of potential skiers, and why it won’t be sustainable in 20 years.” — Joe Narmi on “Vail’s single-day, window lift ticket price hits $209, Aspen at $179”
“Makes the $25 burger and drink seem reasonable” — David Sloan on “Vail’s single-day, window lift ticket price hits $209, Aspen at $179”
“Cost at least $100 bucks to attend the great american beer fest…how much beer can u drink for a 100? And….they pay it” — Paul Amato on “Vail’s single-day, window lift ticket price hits $209, Aspen at $179”
“I’m a baby boomer and I’m still out there! And yes, consider what a family trip costs for younger generations and you’ll understand why they’re not hitting the slopes.” — Phyllis O’Grady on “Ski industry faces challenge of replacing older, loyal skiers”
“Attract new skiers. Haha. Funny. Maybe more millionaires but new skiers? Not at $209 for a day at vail. When we lived there you get a ticket for 35 bucks at the grocery store. Go to Utah or Montana. Better value for the dollar and the skiing is just as good if not better.” — Jim Reed on “Ski industry faces challenge of replacing older, loyal skiers”
“Have you been skiing lately? Having people ski is not an issue as resorts are mostly overcrowded nowadays. Less people out there would be awesome imo but I don’t see that happening” — Nick Tomoff on “Ski industry faces challenge of replacing older, loyal skiers”
“What happened to Auxiliary motor and the evac motor as well…I’m guessing something else went wrong here…rope evac is always last resort unless a fix isn’t quickly available.” — Wesley Bennett on “Rope rescues ensue when lift loses power at Breckenridge Ski Resort”
“It’s funny that you guy’s are arguing over drug money to fund our schools.” — Brian Feister on “’Where’s all that marijuana money?’ Colorado’s pot dollars help schools, but maybe not as much as you think”
“Well I love Colorado. And I don’t judge people on where they came from, or when they got here. I’d rather live next to a kind and loving person that just arrived this week, than live next to some negative and hateful person that is a ‘native.’” — Steve Rankin on “With 80,000 new residents, Colorado is the seventh-fastest growing state in the U.S.”
“And after few years of struggling they will want to leave.” — Lisa M Locken on “With 80,000 new residents, Colorado is the seventh-fastest growing state in the U.S.”
“What changed Colorado also is when they legalized pot. We are getting all kinds of yahoos moving here because of the marijuana. I grew up here and it has changed and not for the best. Rent, groceries and everything’s gone up. Homeless is outta control. We are turning into what California is.” — Gary Moore on “With 80,000 new residents, Colorado is the seventh-fastest growing state in the U.S.”
“Look like we just need to legalize nationwide. Problem solved no more black market” — Russell Janoviak on “Cultivating crime: How the state became a major exporter of black market marijuana”