The truth behind outrageous video of hundreds of skiers waiting for ski lift in freezing cold
A shocking video of hundreds of skiers waiting for a lift in freezing temperatures has sparked anger and confusion online.
The clip, which has been seen by millions of people, shows a seemingly endless line of bundled skiers waiting along California’s Mammoth Mountain to hitch a ride on a ski lift – which can only carry three people at a time.
While many viewers pointed out that the slope was overcrowded to explain what was causing the build-up of skiers, a spokesperson for the ski venue explained the true cause of the chaos.
Mammoth Mountain official Emily van Greuning shared SFGoes that the video was shot during 100-mile-per-hour winds at the summit, which forced most lifts to stop turning.
She told the outlet that everyone “flocked to this line,” located at the resort’s Canyon Lodge base, after most other lifts were closed.
But the ski lift in the video wasn’t turned off until about an hour after it was filmed.
“Someone was just there at the perfect time to capture something that is now exploding on the internet,” Van Greuning told SFGate.
She added that the resort has not experienced any other abnormally long wait times in December.
Hundreds of skiers lined up to board the ski lift, which was closed about an hour later due to heavy winds
A resort representative said everyone “flocked to this line,” located at the resort’s Canyon Lodge base, after most others had closed
The video, originally posted to Instagram by Jake Baisley, was recorded on December 14 and generated strong initial reactions.
‘OMG! Transplants have ruined CA skiing too,” one user wrote, claiming that too many non-Californians are causing congestion at ski locations.
“Boycotting resorts since 2008,” chimed in another user.
One man was surprised by the viral video, saying the “weekend before was perfect, no one [was there]!’
A commenter who reportedly worked at the ski area said the Canyon base lift is always quite busy.
He wrote: ‘I worked there. The funny thing is that that elevator is always busy. There is a lesser-known elevator very close by, where there are hardly any people.’
The images stunned some onlookers.
One wrote: ‘WTH? So you go skiing for 5 minutes and wait for the lift for an hour, and repeat ‘
The video sparked online outrage, with many users saying they would never wait on such a line
The Mammoth Mountain resort has 24 lifts that are normally in operation, but on December 14, winds reached 100 miles per hour, causing them to stop running
But one commenter clarified the situation, explaining: ‘That was the only lift open on Saturday then the whole mountain closed, it’s misleading.’
When the video circulated on X, other people were floored by the footage and couldn’t believe anyone would be waiting in that line.
One user wrote: ‘You couldn’t pay me enough…’
‘WHY?? Omg! What am I missing here???’ another wondered.
‘I’ve skied all over the US and Canada and have never seen a line like this. “If I showed up and the line was that long, I would be in the chalet drinking hot chocolate and eating fries,” one woman claimed.
According to the website, the resort has 24 ski lifts Mammoth Mountain website. On Saturday evening, 23 were active again.
Mammoth Mountain is one of the most popular ski locations in California.