First, the positive.
In my early 20's, I took my first western trip and went to Aspen. I will always remember the first morning, a foot of new snow, brilliant blue sky riding up what was then the single chair over the Ruthie's Run. I was in awe of the magnificent Colorado mountains. I stayed very late and just as they were closing the mountain, I did a non-stop run which will always be with me. Still have pictures from that trip and they bring back so many great memories from when I was just a little younger than Bushwacker. PS - I did think I was immortal, time has taught much.
Second,
At Mad River Glen, on a sunny, cold day, was riding the single chair with one arm around the pole the chair is attached to, head resting on same pole, just catching some sun. Then the chair dropped straight down for at least 10 feet. The wire cable system had come free of the bullwheel at the top of the mountain and the lack of tension caused the chairs to drop. Then the concrete counterbalance weights at the bottom kicked-in and re-tensioned the cable system. I shot straight back up and the just kept moving up and down for several seconds. I was about 6 chairs from the top and all ahead of me were catapulted out of their chairs and laying on the snow, some very seriously injured. My arm around the pole saved me. It was a panic filled several minutes half expecting the entire cable to snap. Took about an hour before the ski patrol evacuated me, and that's me who does not like heights. Watching and listening to those injured is a very bad memory. To this day, I use the system bar system on chairs and keep it down until very close to the end.
Got dropped onto a MRG double black mogule run and I was in no condition to ski it. My wife and friends knew I was skiing that chair and were convinced I was seriously injured as it took so long to get down. The balance of the day was spent in the bar. Never been back to MRG.
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