Moment skier felt 'total fear and panic' after getting stuck on chairlift in 60mph winds

A skier has described the terrifying moment the ski lift he was riding violently shook as 60mph winds made it feel like he was "in a washing machine".

Experienced skier Barnaby Dunning was traveling on the ski lift last Thursday in Breuil-Cervinia, Aosta Valley, Italy when the chair lifts started rotating dangerously. Mr Dunning, who was with friend Stephanie, admitted there were times he thought the pair would not make it through the ordeal.

Shocked skiers captured the terrifying scenes on video, with chair lifts at Cervino Ski Paradise violently swinging mid-air. “I never even knew chair lifts could rotate the way that they were rotating,” Mr Dunning told ABC News.

“There were like, multiple moments of total panic and fear,” the skier added. "This wind had kicked up and was getting quite strong. You couldn’t really see much in front of you."

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Shockingly, the pair of skiers were on the ski lift for 40 minutes as winds of more than 60mph caused havoc on the slopes. “It’s literally just like you’re in a washing machine, I guess,” Mr Dunning added. “You’re just getting thrown around all over the place.”

Sheets of snow blasted Mr Dunning and Stephanie as the pair battled to stay on the chair lift. At some points, they were holding on for dear life. “Three different times, literally, my butt is hanging out and there’s nothing underneath me,” Mr Dunning said.

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Cervino Ski Paradise issued a statement following the incident, insisting that “the weather conditions changed suddenly and unexpectedly” and lift access was “immediately closed” but there were still “users on the seats, who were taken to the station...unharmed.”

Mr Dunning said he was grateful for the lift rider operators for helping him and Stephanie get off the lift safely. Hitting the slopes again the following day, the skier also instructed other skiers to trust their instincts if something doesn’t feel right.