RCMP says cable on Sea to Sky Gondola may have been intentionally cut The Squamish RCMP says it thinks someone may have intentionally cut a cable on the Sea to Sky Gondola early Saturday morning, sending 31 empty cabins crashing to the ground and closing the lift indefinitely.

SQUAMISH (NEWS 1130) – The Squamish RCMP says it thinks someone may have intentionally cut a cable on the Sea to Sky Gondola early Saturday morning, sending more than a dozen empty cabins crashing to the ground and closing the lift indefinitely.

Police began the investigation after receiving reports on August 10 that the haul rope on the gondola appeared to have fallen.

People camping nearby said they heard “crashing and popping” sounds coming from the area at around 4 a.m., and that a helicopter landed nearby later in the morning.


Pictures on social media that morning showed a broken cable slumping to the ground and the Squamish RCMP said there is significant damage to the cabins, with up to half of the 31 hitting the ground. The lift was not in operation at the time, so no staff or guests were on board and no one was injured.

“Until such time as a cause has been definitively identified, police are treating this as criminal in nature and have not ruled out that this is a deliberate act,” a Squamish RCMP spokesperson said at a news conference. “At this time we believe the cable was cut.”



The popular tourist attraction, which offers a ten minute ride with views of Howe Sound, carries up to 240 passengers per trip on a regular day. Gondola staff said it will be closed indefinitely during the investigation and repairs.


In a statement to NEWS 1130, a Technical Safety BC spokesperson said the independent oversight body is aware of the incident.

“Our safety officers are currently investigating the incident. We’re unable to speculate on causes until after our investigation is complete,” the statement reads. “However, we can state that no injuries have been reported to Technical Safety BC.”

This is not the first time there’s been an incident on the lift. In 2014, a gondola fell to the ground during a trial run. An investigation by the BC Safety Authority determined that was caused by strong winds and staff inexperience.

The Squamish RCMP has asked people to stay away from the area while the investigation is underway, including keeping off nearby trails. In a release, it says it is working in partnership with Work Safe BC and Technical Safety BC.

Police are asking anyone with information about the incident and anyone who was in the area from 4 a.m. to 9 a.m. to contact the Squamish RCMP at 604-892-6100, Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS, or go to www.solvecrime.ca.