Guests of the Jasper SkyTram got an unexpected helicopter ride down from the top of Whistlers Mountain after high winds shut down the tramway for the afternoon. 

On Tuesday, May 7, one of Jasper’s pre-eminent visitor attractions was hit with strong wind gusts, contributing to factors which ultimately caused the tramway’s roller guide mechanism to seize, according to SkyTram general manager Todd Noble. The roller guide assists the tram’s haul rope to propel the tramway to the 2,227-metre summit.

“The winds coming up the gully were probably double what our anemometer at the tower was registering,” Noble said.

He estimated winds were gusting between 60-75 km/hour.

The mechanical issue occurred at approximately 1 p.m. Solo traveller Yvonne Melford, from the UK, was one of about 18 guests at the top of Whistlers Mountain who were informed by SkyTram staff that inclement weather would delay their trip down.

“As time went on, I was getting a little bit twitchy,” Melford, 73-years-old, said. “I was getting quite distraught at the prospect of being there all night.

“It was a bit of a long haul.”

SkyTram staff helped the stranded guests stay hydrated, offering companionship and food from the restaurant, Melford said. 

“Hands up to them, there were a couple of excellent young people who did a cracking job,” she said.

Noble said when it became clear the mechanical issues couldn’t be rectified that day, he made the call to Yellowhead Helicopters, out of Hinton. That was at about 7:30 p.m., according to Yellowhead Helicopter’s Hinton base manager and pilot, Jason Pitts.

Two helicopters—a five passenger A-Star and a nine passenger Bell 212—lifted off at 8:15 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., respectively, Pitts said.

Each machine did three trips to the top of the mountain, unloading the guests and SkyTram staff at the former Jasper rodeo grounds. Parks Canada Visitor Safety staff were on hand to facilitate the rescue operation. A SunDog Tours bus received the guests to transport them to their vehicles at the SkyTram’s base.

Pitts said the passengers were grateful for the rescue. 

“They were all giving thumbs-up, taking videos,” Pitts said.

Melford said the experience will give her lasting memories of the Canadian Rockies.

“I shan’t forget Jasper,” she laughed. “Although I think I’m done visiting mountains for the minute.”

Bob Covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com