Damages to the Sea to Sky Gondola in Squamish will amount to “millions,” the company estimates after what police call deliberate damage sent cars crashing to the ground on Saturday.
“Our initial estimate is that 18 to 20 of our 30 gondola cabins will need to be replaced along with the main cable,” Sea to Sky Gondola said in a statement on Monday. “We are working with Doppelmayr, our lift manufacturer, to determine timelines for equipment replacement.”
The gondolas’ “haul rope” — two kilometres long and 55 millimetres thick — was cut around 4:30 a.m. Saturday. The lift was closed for the night and there were no injuries. The sightseeing attraction can carry up to eight passengers in each of the 30 cars for the almost kilometre-high trip up the mountain near Squamish.
“We can say that it’s been cut,” Squamish RCMP Const. Ashley MacKay said Monday. “We believe it’s a deliberate act,” because there was no “operational or environmental reason for the cord to be damaged.”
MacKay said police believe it was an isolated attack. “But we urge other attractions to take precautions.”
Asked if police have any suspects, MacKay said, “We have no other information to release today.”
Police would only release a name involved in its investigation once an individual is formally charged, she said.
“The RCMP is treating this incident as an ongoing criminal investigation with damages reaching into the millions,” said the company’s statement.
The company didn’t return a phone call asking for more details. A spokeswoman told the Squamish Chief the company was talking to its insurance company.
“We are thankful that no guests or staff were on the gondola and no injuries were sustained in the incident,” the statement said. “Our efforts are focused on the well-being of our incredible team, working with the RCMP and determining steps toward reopening.”
The attraction, with its views of Howe Sound and surrounding forests and mountains, is a popular site for weddings and other events. “We are working to relocate as many as possible to other beautiful venues in the area,” the company said.
The gondola ran daily from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and to 8 p.m. on weekends. It charged between $44 and $16, depending on the rider’s age.
“We appreciate all of the support from the Squamish community and the industry as a whole during this time,” said the company. “We are going to reopen as soon as possible.”
Squamish Mayor Karen Elliott said Monday she was “shocked” to learn the cable was deliberately cut.
“I’m sad for the gondola, for the staff and for the community,” she said. “It’s such an important part of the community.”
She said about 200 people worked at the gondola.
Asked who would want to harm the gondola, she said, “I have no idea. This is a well-loved asset for the community and for the tourists.”
She said there is a “bit of friction” in town between locals and tourists, but that’s usually limited to parking and overcrowding.
“For it to lead to cutting the cable would be hard to believe,” said Elliott.
She said it’s too early to tell if the gondola’s closure will affect the local economy, saying it’s just one of several attractions.
“I’m hoping people will still come to the restaurants, breweries and hotels and show them support,” she said.
Elliott said she’s not surprised the story attracted international media attention because tourists come from all around the world and because gondolas are popular attractions worldwide.
“This may be a wakeup call to the industry to remain vigilant” to ensure such attractions are safeguarded, she said.
Copyright Postmedia Network Inc., 2019
