5 Critical Facts About The Attitash Chair Lift Accident: Investigation, Cause, And Safety Changes

The most recent and serious incident involving a chair lift at Attitash Mountain Resort, which occurred on the Flying Bear high-speed detachable quad, remains a central point of discussion among skiers and industry professionals as of December 13, 2025. This single event, where a chair detached and fell 20 feet with a passenger aboard, brought immediate scrutiny to the resort’s lift maintenance practices and the aging infrastructure of detachable quad lifts across the ski industry. The swift investigation by the New Hampshire State Fire Marshal's Office and the subsequent, though temporary, closure of the lift highlighted the immediate need for transparency and enhanced safety protocols at the popular Bartlett, New Hampshire destination.

The incident on Sunday, February 2, 2025, resulted in one adult male skier being injured, though thankfully his injuries were reported as non-life-threatening. The preliminary findings quickly pointed toward a mechanical failure, specifically involving the chair's grip mechanism. The following sections provide a definitive breakdown of the event's timeline, the technical cause of the failure, the official investigation's findings, and the critical safety changes implemented at Attitash Mountain Resort in the wake of this high-profile accident.

Attitash Flying Bear Chair Lift Accident: Timeline and Key Details

The accident occurred on the Flying Bear Express Quad, a key lift serving the Bear Peak side of Attitash Mountain Resort. This particular lift, a 1995 Doppelmayr detachable quad, has been a central component of the mountain’s infrastructure for decades.

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• Date of Incident: Sunday, February 2, 2025.
• Time of Incident: Approximately 12:15 p.m.
• Location: Flying Bear high-speed detachable quad lift, Attitash Mountain Resort, Bartlett, NH.
• Equipment Involved: A 1995 Doppelmayr detachable quad lift utilizing DT-104 grips.
• The Incident: A single chair, carrying one adult male skier, detached from the haul rope mid-line.
• The Fall: The chair and rider fell approximately 20 feet to the ground.
• Casualties: One adult male injured, but reported to have sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was seen walking away after the fall.

Following the detachment, emergency crews, including the New Hampshire State Fire Marshal's Office and local EMS, immediately responded to the scene. The Flying Bear lift was instantly shut down, and all other passengers were safely unloaded, typically at the top of the lift.

The Technical Cause: Understanding the Doppelmayr DT-104 Grip Failure

The preliminary investigation launched by the New Hampshire State Fire Marshal's Office and the Passenger Tramway Safety Board quickly identified the probable cause as a mechanical failure. More specifically, the focus narrowed down to the chair's grip—the critical component that clamps the chair onto the moving haul rope.

The Flying Bear lift uses the Doppelmayr DT-104 model grips, a design common on older detachable lifts from that era. A "grip failure" means the mechanism designed to securely hold the chair to the cable failed its primary function, causing the chair to dislodge from the line. While the full, final report detailing the exact metallurgical or stress fatigue cause may not be widely public, the initial findings suggested a component within the grip system reached its limit or experienced a catastrophic failure, leading to the detachment.

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Lift manufacturer Doppelmayr was directly involved in the inspection and investigation process, a standard procedure for such incidents involving their equipment. The incident served as a stark reminder of the challenges facing ski resorts with aging high-speed detachable lifts, which require rigorous and consistent maintenance, inspection, and, eventually, replacement of high-wear components like grips.

Aftermath and Attitash Mountain Resort's Safety Response

The immediate aftermath saw the Flying Bear lift closed indefinitely pending the conclusion of the official investigation. This closure, especially during the peak ski season, significantly impacted operations on the Bear Peak side of the resort. However, the closure did not last for the remainder of the season, demonstrating a rapid response from the resort and state authorities.

Draft minutes from the New Hampshire Passenger Tramway Safety Board indicated that the lift was able to reopen about five weeks after the incident, specifically in March 2025. This relatively quick turnaround suggests that the necessary repairs and safety modifications were implemented swiftly.

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The reopening of the lift was contingent upon a thorough inspection, repair, and potential component replacement to address the identified mechanical failure. While the exact scope of the modifications was not fully detailed in public press releases, the process involved:

• Grip Inspection and Repair: An intensive focus on the remaining DT-104 grips on the lift to ensure no other chairs posed a similar risk.
• Manufacturer Consultation: Direct collaboration with Doppelmayr to identify systemic issues and implement manufacturer-recommended fixes.
• State Approval: Final authorization for reopening from the New Hampshire State Fire Marshal's Office and the Passenger Tramway Safety Board.

The event has undoubtedly elevated public awareness regarding ski lift safety and the maintenance requirements of older high-speed lifts. For Attitash Mountain Resort, the incident became a catalyst for renewed emphasis on preventative maintenance and rigorous testing protocols, ensuring that the safety of every skier and snowboarder remains the top priority moving forward into the 2025/2026 season.