California Snowboarder Reported Lost, Found Trapped in a Lake Tahoe Ski Resort's Gondola

A California snowboarder, Monica Laso, faced a harrowing ordeal as she found herself trapped in a freezing ski lift gondola at Heavenly Ski Resort in Lake Tahoe for 15 hours overnight, according to USA Today.

Laso managed to stay warm amid the frigid temperatures by rubbing her arms and feet, according to KCRA 3.

In a Spanish-language interview with KCRA 3, Laso explained that she was on a skiing trip with friends on Thursday but became too fatigued to descend the hill.

Seeking assistance, she approached a Lake Tahoe ski resort worker who guided her to the gondola.

However, just two minutes into the ride at around 4:58 PM, the gondola abruptly stopped, leaving her stranded without a phone or light.

Desperate for help, Laso screamed for assistance each time she spotted an employee below, but her pleas went unanswered.

Her friends reported her missing to the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office after being unable to reach her on Thursday.

Discovery and Investigation

Laso, the California snowboarder, was only found on Friday morning when the gondola resumed operations for the day, CBS News reports.

Crews discovered her situation, and despite the challenging overnight conditions, she was reportedly responsive and declined transportation to a nearby hospital.

Heavenly Ski Resort, situated on the southeastern side of Lake Tahoe near the California-Nevada border, is now investigating the incident with utmost seriousness.

Tom Fortune, the Lake Tahoe ski resort's vice president and chief operating officer, emphasized their commitment to guest safety in a statement.

The El Dorado County Sheriff's Office did not provide comments on the incident as of Saturday.

Kim George, a spokesperson for South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue, revealed that their paramedics were requested by sheriff's deputies around 8:30 AM on Friday upon Laso's discovery.

She was found responsive and alert, opting not to be transported to the hospital.

Lake Tahoe Ski Resort Challenges

Heavenly Ski Resort has faced challenges this year, including avalanches, low tide conditions, and now, the unprecedented incident of a California snowboarder getting stuck in a gondola overnight, POWDER noted.

However, the region may see changes soon, as storms are anticipated for the Sierra range.

The ongoing investigation seeks to determine the circumstances that led to this incident, mirroring the seriousness seen in previous cases.

One instance is a Vermont ski resort was ordered to pay $750,000 in damages to a woman left stranded on a gondola lift for over five hours in 2016, per the Daily Mail.

A dramatic 16-car pile-up occurred outside the same ski resort earlier this month, capturing attention as cars slid uncontrollably down icy roads.

At the end of last year, skiers encountered a massive black bear at California's Heavenly Ski Resort, though fortunately, no collisions or injuries occurred during the unexpected encounter.

As the investigation unfolds, questions remain about the safety measures in place at ski resorts and the protocols for handling unforeseen incidents, ensuring the well-being of visitors.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Woman trapped overnight in gondola at Heavenly Ski Resort in Lake - From ABC7 News Bay Area