A 12-Year-Old Girl Survives Fall from Chairlift at Mammoth Mountain Ski Resort

A shocking incident unfolded on Saturday at Mammoth Mountain Ski Resort in California, when a 12-year-old girl fell from a chairlift after reportedly being unsecured. The distressing event was captured in a viral video that raises concerns about safety protocols at ski resorts.

Why It Matters

This incident shines a spotlight on the safety measures in place at ski resorts, particularly how chairlifts are operated and monitored. Such accidents can have severe consequences, making it essential to evaluate and reinforce safety protocols to protect young skiers and snowboarders.

Key Developments

A video showed the girl dangling from a chairlift, struggling to hold on while being strapped to her snowboard.
Rescue personnel quickly positioned a safety net and padding below her as she dangled above the snow.
The girl fell to the ground, missing the safety net largely, but miraculously sustained no major injuries.
The girl’s mother stated that no one was at fault for the incident, explaining that the chairlift’s safety bar failed to secure her daughter in time.
Despite the traumatic experience, the family plans to continue skiing in the future.

Full Report

Incident Details

The incident occurred on January 31, 2026, at the Mammoth Mountain Ski Resort, where the young snowboarder was seen struggling to maintain her grip on the chairlift. Footage shared on social media captured the moments of distress, with the girl’s feet flailing in the air as resort staff rushed to her aid.

Response and Recovery

Rescue workers quickly placed safety padding and a net under the chairlift in an effort to catch her fall. Unfortunately, the girl fell to the ground, narrowly missing most of the safety net. Initial chaos ensued as the staff reacted to the fall, but fortunately, the mother later reported that her daughter had exited the situation without serious injuries.

Mother’s Statement

The girl’s mother, commenting on the incident, expressed gratitude for the quick response of the resort team. She noted that the circumstances leading to the fall were unfortunate and described it as an intensely traumatic experience for their family. The mother also clarified that there was no opportunity to secure the safety bar, as the chairlift had slipped almost immediately upon her daughter boarding.

Future Plans

Despite the fear and trauma from this incident, the mother assured that their love for skiing would not deter the family from returning to the slopes when her daughter feels ready.