Squamish RCMP are investigating after the Sea to Sky Gondola cable was cut early Saturday morning, leaving the popular attraction grounded and raising safety concerns throughout the region.
Representing Grouse Mountain, communications manager Julia Grant emphasized that the safety of visitors and employees is a top priority.
“We have significant safety procedures in place including stringent daily equipment checks as well as our regular 24-hour on-site monitoring at the base and the chalet,” she wrote in an email.
“Our thoughts are with our colleagues and friends at Sea to Sky Gondola,” Grant stated.
Approximately 20 of the 31 Sea to Sky cars will need to be replaced, according to gondola spokeswoman Christy Allan, who estimated damaged are “well into the millions.”
“We believe the cables were cut and there’s a deliberate act of vandalism,” said Insp. Kara Triance of the Sea to Sky RCMP.
The RCMP asks anyone with information to come forward, especially if they were in the gondola or Stawamus Chief area between 4 a.m. and 9 a.m. on Aug. 10.
There is no clear timeline on when the gondola will reopen.
“As we are working through the next steps to reopening, we have just appreciated so much the outpouring of support from the Squamish community as a whole,” Allan said. “We are doing everything in our power to reopen as soon as possible.”
– with files from Squamish Chief
