An electrifying day on the Snowbowl ski lift in Flagstaff, Arizona during a lightning storm. It started out as a beautiful sunny day. We came prepared for a nice ride up a mountain and expected to take a few photos at the top and then come back down. Today was not what we expected and because we are alive, I can say it was an even better day with all the excitement.

My over prepared packing came in handy. There had been raining off and on in Flagstaff the day before. So, I had packed ponchos in our day backpack. We had 2L of water. There were a few snack bags of mixed nuts, fish crackers, and granola bars.

Ride Up the Mountain

The ride up the mountain was to be a nice leisurely 30 min ride. Hunter and I sat hand in hand viewing the wooded scenery on the mountain slopes. Hunter spotted a deer as we rode over a clearing.

It was hot and sunny. We had put on floppy hats and sunscreen to protect ourselves from a sunburn. After about 15 mins, the wind picked up and it started to get cooler. On the opposite side of us were the ski lift chairs with people coming down. We started to notice the people coming down the mountain putting ponchos on their children. Then we observed that we were starting to get cloud cover. Next, the temperature dropped so quickly that I put on a coat that I had wrapped around my waist. By now, the people that were coming down were also putting their ponchos on. Finally, Hunter turned around to see what was behind us.

Stuck on the Mountain

There was a lot of dark clouds and then we saw lightning and heard the thunder. Suddenly the ski chair lift picked up speed. As we neared the top of the mountain rain had started to fall and we put on our ponchos. Once we reached the top the chair operator gave us instructions to quickly get out of the chair and run to the safety shack. The safety shack is the building where the safety ski patrol are staffed during the winter months.

We ran to the safety shack and found 17 people and 3 staff crowded in a 10 ft x 16 ft room. The main staff lady quickly had people move over on a bench so that we could sit down. The chair operator came in and let us all know that they can not operate the chairlift during a storm and we could be in this room for 5 min or 5 hours, as long as the storm lasts. The staff lady in charge then took inventory and said they had limited water and a few snacks for everyone. I was grateful at that point that we had our own water and food.

The staff lady reassured us that the building was grounded and had a lightning rod on top. She said the day before lightning did strike the building and if it did again today, just the hair on our body would stand up. “Everyone would be okay”, she said.

During all of this, there were 2 people standing outside and on a side porch of the safety shack. The staff lady tried to get them to come inside but the one male was very angry and was yelling at her that he was going to stay outside and no one would tell him what to do.

Ride Down the Mountain

After about 30 min, the chairlift operator received word that they could send people back down 3 at a time because there was a break in the storm. They quickly moved 3 people out of the shack at a time. Since there were sending 3 people at a time, a nice lady was put with Hunter and me on our ride back down. The ride down was about 10 mins.

Safety

We reached the base of the ski lift and we went into the ski lodge. We choose to have lunch there and relax. The ski lift remained closed while we were there.

Lightning Storm While on a Metal Ski Lift

I would defiantly go on the ski lift again. Have you ever been on a ski lift for skiing or for a ride?