Rarely will a ski area be required to evacuate a lift. It only happens in the most unusual of circumstances, but all ski areas train and practice employees how to safely and smoothly evacuate a lift. At Donner Ski Ranch, the Donner Ski Patrol practiced lift evacuation in November with all its members participating as lift riders and rescuers.

The Ski Patrol's on-hill refresher occurred over two days, with an intensive day of first aid practice and testing and a second day devoted to on-hill skills (lift operations, avalanche rescue and lift evacuation. Prior to the on-hill refresher, ski patrollers and mountain hosts reviewed first aid and CPR skills online and in classroom sessions. Ski Patrol training continues all season long, with toboggan handling in January.

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