Tourism Bookings NZ

Skier's prank backfires, leaving her dangling 65 feet in the air as twin desperately holds on

04 Mar 2026 By foxnews

Skier's prank backfires, leaving her dangling 65 feet in the air as twin desperately holds on

Tourism Bookings NZ introduces

A skier was left dangling 65 feet in the air after a prank on a chairlift went terribly wrong.

The incident happened Feb. 24 at Big Bear Lake in California, where Roula De Miranda-Arce, 21, was riding the lift with her twin sister and a friend, news agency SWNS reported.

Big Bear Mountain Resort confirmed the incident in a statement shared with Fox News Digital.

AIRLINES PREPARE FOR RECORD-BREAKING SPRING BREAK TRAVEL SURGE AS AMERICANS 'PRIORITIZE EXPERIENCES' 

"At approximately 2:45 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 24, a 21-year-old female skier safely loaded onto Chair 9 at Bear Mountain. At some point during her ride to the top, she failed to maintain proper safety protocols and became suspended from the carrier," the resort said in its statement.

The organization added, "The guest and her sister, who was riding the carrier with her, admitted to horseplay as the reason for her becoming suspended. As soon as staff became aware of the situation, they took quick action to stop the carrier and unload everyone as soon as it reached the upper terminal."

Officials said the skier was evaluated by ski patrol as a precaution and did not sustain significant injuries.

NEARLY 70 SKIERS STRANDED IN MIDAIR FOR HOURS AFTER GONDOLA MALFUNCTIONS AT POPULAR RESORT

In an attempt to jokingly scare her sister, De Miranda-Arce slid down from the moving chair, planning to hang briefly before pulling herself back up, SWNS reported.

The weight of her skis, however, made it impossible for her to lift herself back onto the seat - leaving her suspended as the chair continued uphill.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER

Video shows the young woman hanging in midair while her sister and friend cling tightly to her arms, preventing her from falling.

"I thought I was going to die or become a paraplegic," she said.

The young woman said she began screaming as the strain on her arms intensified.

"I was screaming at one point, 'Just let me go,' because it felt like my arms were going to break," she said. 

"And thank God my sister and my friend did not listen to me."

CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES

The pair managed to hold her for roughly two minutes until the chairlift reached the top of the slope - where ski patrol members were waiting for her.

"It's crazy what your body does in fight or flight," she said.

The resort said the incident serves as a reminder for guests to lower the safety bar and avoid potentially dangerous behavior while riding lifts.

Fox News Digital previously reported on another alarming chairlift incident in California earlier this year.

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

A 12-year-old girl was left dangling from a ski lift at Mammoth Mountain Ski Resort before falling to the ground in a frightening moment captured on video.

Footage showed ski resort staff rushing to position padding and a safety net beneath her as she struggled to hold on, though she ultimately missed most of the net during the fall.

Her mother later said the girl "miraculously walked away with no broken bones or major injuries" - calling it a traumatic but accidental event.

Bonny Chu of Fox News Digital contributed reporting. 

Are you looking for a holiday? Get special deals.

 

More News

Booking.com
Phone-free restaurants are trending across the US
Phone-free restaurants are trending across the US
Why your home Wi-Fi needs more than just a strong password
Why your home Wi-Fi needs more than just a strong password
Curators at Library of Congress discover lost film by legendary cinema pioneer after spotting 'subtle clue'
Curators at Library of Congress discover lost film by legendary cinema pioneer after spotting 'subtle clue'
Man accused of smuggling child into Disney park as venue's ticket prices explode
Man accused of smuggling child into Disney park as venue's ticket prices explode
Titanic survivor life jacket set to fetch staggering price as anniversary nears
Titanic survivor life jacket set to fetch staggering price as anniversary nears
Popular vacation hot spots slap limits on tourist rentals, driving and more to protect 'stunning' spaces
Popular vacation hot spots slap limits on tourist rentals, driving and more to protect 'stunning' spaces
Public transportation prices hit absurd levels for World Cup games: report
Public transportation prices hit absurd levels for World Cup games: report
Reality star Dr Pimple Popper suffered a stroke while filming her show, says part of her brain 'died'
Reality star Dr Pimple Popper suffered a stroke while filming her show, says part of her brain 'died'
Illegal immigrant driver charged with DUI after car veers off road, kills two children on bikes: police
Illegal immigrant driver charged with DUI after car veers off road, kills two children on bikes: police
Weight gain in certain decade of life may be more dangerous, study suggests
Weight gain in certain decade of life may be more dangerous, study suggests
Dianna Russini resigns from The Athletic amid Mike Vrabel controversy
Dianna Russini resigns from The Athletic amid Mike Vrabel controversy
College football player, 20, killed in motorcycle crash while riding on interstate
College football player, 20, killed in motorcycle crash while riding on interstate
Swalwell accusers detail experiences with lawmaker after he announces his resignation from Congress
Swalwell accusers detail experiences with lawmaker after he announces his resignation from Congress
Rachel Campos-Duffy to release 'All American Patriotism' book with foreword by Erika Kirk
Rachel Campos-Duffy to release 'All American Patriotism' book with foreword by Erika Kirk
Airline sparks anger as it demands extra fees from already booked passengers as oil prices spike
Airline sparks anger as it demands extra fees from already booked passengers as oil prices spike
Rep Luna warns of potential jail time for Eric Swalwell following serious criminal allegations
Rep Luna warns of potential jail time for Eric Swalwell following serious criminal allegations
David Letterman speaks out on CBS replacing Colbert's show, says network doesn't want to 'spend any money'
David Letterman speaks out on CBS replacing Colbert's show, says network doesn't want to 'spend any money'
Trump blasts close ally Meloni, says she's failing US on Iran
Trump blasts close ally Meloni, says she's failing US on Iran
80s icons Heather Locklear and Lorenzo Lamas are officially together after decades of high-profile romances
80s icons Heather Locklear and Lorenzo Lamas are officially together after decades of high-profile romances
Pittsburgh LGBTQ Pride parade in jeopardy after corporate sponsors pull funding
Pittsburgh LGBTQ Pride parade in jeopardy after corporate sponsors pull funding

copyright © 2026 Tourism Bookings NZ.   All rights reserved.