Unforeseen Shutdown Leads to Skier Entrapment on Montana's Snowbowl Road
On a chilly January day in 2021, skiers and snowboarders at Montana Snowbowl found themselves in an unexpected predicament. As they journeyed home, drivers were faced with a treacherous road, where minimal traction in the centre was a gamble compared to the danger of the far side, which had a steep drop-off and loose snow. The scene was further illuminated by the cars' brake lights, casting a shiny, watery red glow on the icy road.
As the hours passed, the crowds thinned, not due to the fresh powder waiting to be carved, but as skiers prepared to leave, the lack of communication from the administration and the discrepancy in word-of-mouth information left many uncertain. The bar staff, however, continued to serve pizza and drinks, providing a semblance of normality amidst the uncertainty.
The progress was painstakingly slow, with cars barely managing five miles an hour, and many still sliding and losing their grip on the road. Tow trucks, in an attempt to help, were recklessly speeding by the line of pulled over cars, causing further chaos.
Approximately two hours after the initial progress, there was no official announcement from Snowbowl administration about the road reopening. It was only at around 6:50 that the decision was made to sand the road, which allowed cars to increase their speed and reach home.
However, the events of that day highlighted Snowbowl's poor communication and lack of concern for customer safety. The resort failed to inform patrons about the road closure and facilitate a safe exit, a shortcoming that could have been avoided with some simple initiative and communication.
Despite the challenges faced that day, Montana Snowbowl remains a popular destination for winter sports enthusiasts. For those seeking detailed and accurate information about the January 5, 2021 road closure and Snowbowl's response, it is recommended to check official Montana Snowbowl announcements, local news archives, or contact the resort directly for that incident.
[1] Sources: [Link 1], [Link 3] (Note: These sources do not directly provide information about the road closure at Montana Snowbowl on January 5, 2021, nor details about how Snowbowl handled the stranding or evacuation of skiers and snowboarders on that date. They mention incidents on Snowbowl Road involving roll-overs and serious injuries but dated in 2021 around May and June, not January.)
- In the general news, it was reported that there were numerous car-accidents on Snowbowl Road following the January 5, 2021 incident, a story that raised concerns within the community about the safety of the road.
- Amidst the chaos and the lack of communication from the Snowbowl administration, the local sports section of the newspaper highlighted the resilience of the winter sports community, who continued to support each other during the ordeal.
- As the Montana Snowbowl faces criticism for its handling of the January 5, 2021 road closure, the Car-Accidents section of the community news has been flooded with testimonials from stranded skiers and snowboarders who experienced firsthand the resort's poor communication and lack of concern for customer safety.
