An unexpected power outage on Monday evening left tourists stranded in gondola cabins and atop Sulphur Mountain’s renowned interpretive center, sparking a dramatic rescue effort that continued into late Tuesday morning. Patrons of the iconic Banff Gondola found themselves marooned as the lift’s operations ground to a halt due to the power disruption, leaving between 400 and 500 individuals stranded at an elevation that offered breathtaking views but also presented an unexpected challenge.
As dusk settled over the mountain, the scene turned surreal as visitors were separated between the gondola cabins and the interpretive center, both at the summit of Sulphur Mountain. The ordeal began to unfold as the power supply abruptly vanished, leaving patrons to navigate the unfamiliar terrain of a mountain shrouded in darkness.
The initial priority was to ensure the safety of those trapped in the gondola cabins. Swift action was taken on Monday evening to assist these individuals, ensuring their safe descent from their elevated predicament. Some brave souls, however, made the decision to tackle the 5 1/2-kilometer descent on foot, taking on the challenging mountain trail by night.
Inside the mountaintop interpretive center, others had to make do with sleeping arrangements far from the comforts of their accommodations. With no power and limited resources, a number of tourists spent the night on the center’s floor, making the best of a situation that caught them off guard.
As the sun broke through the horizon on Tuesday morning, a sense of determination gripped those who had been marooned overnight. Some resolved to hike down the trail in the daylight, while others awaited the assistance that had been mobilized to ensure their safe return to lower altitudes.
Parks Canada, in collaboration with Pursuit, swung into action to manage the rescue operation. Helicopters were dispatched to the summit, each journey ferrying stranded individuals to safety. By 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, the last of the tourists had been airlifted from the mountain’s peak, marking the end of an ordeal that had tested their resilience and highlighted the unpredictable nature of mountain environments.