Red Lodge Mountain Fatal Sessellift Devilation by wind damage; Repairs in progress | Billings news

Update on March 15, 2025 at 11:06 a.m.

The following is an explanation by Red Lodge Mountain:

On behalf of the Red Lodge Mountain team, we would like to be affected by the family and friends of Mr Zinne. A tragedy of this size influences our entire community on a deep human level.

We work together in cooperation with the US Forest Service, the Carbon County Sheriff's Office and Iron Mountain Engineering, an independent professional privacy inspector, to understand how this tragedy took place. We would like to assure you that we are committed to a strict and thorough investigation and share what we currently know.

After a first inspection of the triple chair this week, inspections indicate that the damage to the elevator was caused by an unexpectedly strong wind gust, which led to an unusually aggressive derailment and, as a result, the injuries to Mr. Zinne.

The security of the chair is a top priority and something that we take incredibly seriously. Until the buoyancy assessment is completed, the elevator of inspectors and supervisory authorities is repaired, tested and rated again. He remains closed. There is currently no estimate when the triple chair will be reopened.

The Willow Creek chair is not connected to the incident with a triple chair and is still closed for maintenance. We are optimistic that it will be opened again soon. As soon as the maintenance has been completed, it will also be subjected to a complete inspection before the reopening as part of our standard operating process.

In the meantime, limited access to the site in Red Lodge Mountain is currently available, and a reduced daily elevator ticket will be available until more terrain are on schedule.

We assume that further information can be passed on in the coming days. Thank you for your patience and your understanding.

---

Update on March 11, 2025 @ 6:12 p.m.:

The Carbon County Sheriff's Office has confirmed Nonstop Local that a 37-year-old man from Billings, who died in an accident on the Triple Chair on the Red Lodge Mountain, died today, March 11th. The incident occurred yesterday on Monday, March 10th.

No details of the officials were given when the man died or what exactly was the cause of death.

Be excited about further updates from authorities as soon as you are available.

---

Original reporting on March 11, 2025 at 8:34 a.m.

Red Lodge, Mont. – An incident with the Triple Chair at the Red Lodge Mountain is currently being examined.

According to Troy Hawks, marketing and sales director, the incident was reported to the Red Lodge Mountain Patrol Shipping on March 10th at 11:51 a.m.

A patient involved in the incident was transported to the base area and then invited to an ambulance for emergency services at 12:23 p.m.

The triple chair remains closed on Tuesday morning because the examination continues, said Hawks.