A ski lift stalled Saturday at a northeast Ohio resort, leaving more than 80 people stuck for several hours until emergency crews used ropes to lower them to safety, authorities said. No injuries were reported.

The ski lift at Alpine Valley in Munson Township malfunctioned at about 2:30 p.m., leaving the skiers dangling about 30 feet from the ground, said Chief Scott Hildenbrand of the Hambden Fire Department, one of the agencies that responded.

Crews threw blankets to the skiers so they would stay warm until they were rescued, which took about three hours, Hildenbrand said. Medics checked the skiers, none of whom needed to go to the hospital, Hildenbrand said....

http://www.google.co...90492a3769d0d85

Wow. Three hours is a long time to be stuck on a ski lift. Fortunately, no one suffered from hypothermia. I wonder how old the ski lift was that malfunctioned.

And another slightly related question, do ski lifts in the state of Ohio have to be inspected by the Department of Agriculture`s Rides Safety Division`s Ride Inspectors? Or are they exempt from that since they aren`t technically an amusement park device? If they are exempt, are they inspected or regulated by any state agency?

About which:

...Ohio Division of Industrial Compliance and Labor, the state agency charged with inspecting all ski lifts and tow lines annually....

http://www.newsnet5....cident-in-maine

http://www.com.ohio....dico/about.aspx

and

Ski Tramway Board

The Ski Tramway Board ensures public safety with the construction, maintenance, and mechanical operations of passenger tramways at Ohio's ski areas according to the Ohio Revised Code 4169.01