A Heart-Stopping Chairlift Rescue: Three Friends’ Terrifying Experience at Big Bear
The Viral Incident That Captured Millions of Viewers
What started as an ordinary ski day at Big Bear Mountain Resort in Southern California quickly turned into a nightmare scenario that would captivate over 16 million people on social media. On a Tuesday that none of them would ever forget, Roula De Miranda-Arce found herself dangling precariously from a moving chairlift, her life literally in the hands of her twin sister Raizel and their friend Makenna Dumlao. The dramatic rescue was captured on camera by bystander Pierce Mayer, who shared the footage on Instagram, where it immediately went viral. The video shows a terrifying scene that every skier dreads: a person hanging helplessly from a chairlift while friends desperately hold on to prevent a potentially fatal fall. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of chairlift safety, particularly the simple act of lowering the safety bar—something many experienced skiers often neglect.
The Moment Everything Went Wrong
For Roula De Miranda-Arce, the experience was absolutely terrifying. In an interview with “Good Morning America,” she recalled the moment she realized the gravity of her situation. “I was like, Oh, I’m definitely dying,” she said, describing the sheer panic that overwhelmed her as she slipped out of her seat while the chairlift continued its steady climb up the mountain. What made the situation even more frightening was the height at which the incident occurred. When Roula looked down, trying to assess her predicament, the ground seemed impossibly far away. “I looked down and I saw it was high enough for it to look like death,” she explained, her words conveying the absolute terror of that moment. For anyone who has ever been on a ski lift, the thought of slipping out of the seat is one of those worst-case scenarios that crosses your mind but that you never actually expect to happen. For Roula, this nightmare became a very real and immediate threat to her life.
Quick Thinking and Desperate Measures
When Roula first started to slip, her twin sister Raizel initially thought it might be some kind of joke. “I thought she was joking and I was like, ‘Ha, whatever dude,'” Raizel recounted. But when she heard the genuine panic in her sister’s voice—”No, seriously, I need help, I can’t get up”—reality set in immediately. “Oh, my God,” was all she could think as she and Makenna Dumlao sprang into action. The video footage shows Roula squirming and struggling as the chairlift continued its relentless forward motion, moving them all closer to the top of the mountain. The situation was made even more difficult by Roula’s natural panic response. “They’re telling me to stop moving. Listen, I’m not even thinking about moving, I’m panicking,” Roula later explained. Anyone who has ever been in a life-threatening situation can understand that when fear takes over, rational thought often goes out the window. Dumlao later reflected on how precarious the situation truly was, noting that while they had managed to grab hold of Roula and keep her from falling, the outcome could have been tragically different. “We had her, but if she continued to keep moving, it was gonna slip,” she said, highlighting just how close they came to disaster.
The Resort’s Response and Safety Lessons
When ABC News reached out to Big Bear Mountain Resort for comment, the resort confirmed that the incident had indeed occurred and provided additional context. According to a resort spokesperson, Roula De Miranda-Arce and her sister “admitted to horseplay as the reason for her becoming suspended.” The resort emphasized that as soon as staff became aware of the dangerous situation unfolding on the chairlift, they took immediate action, stopping the carrier and working to unload everyone as quickly as possible once it reached the upper terminal. As a precautionary measure, Roula was evaluated by the ski patrol to ensure she hadn’t sustained any injuries. Fortunately, the resort confirmed that “the individuals involved in the incident did not sustain any significant injuries,” and they expressed gratitude to their team for their swift response to the emergency. However, the resort also used this incident as a teaching moment, with their spokesperson stating: “This is a good example of why we recommend guests always lower the safety bar and refrain from engaging in potentially dangerous or distracting behavior while riding lifts.” This advice, while perhaps seeming obvious, is something that many experienced skiers routinely ignore, often viewing the safety bar as unnecessary or inconvenient.
The Safety Bar That Made All the Difference
In the aftermath of the incident, all three women pointed to one crucial factor that may have saved Roula’s life: the safety bar. Raizel was particularly emphatic about this point, reflecting on how the presence of the bar made it possible for them to hold onto her sister and prevent her from falling. “Had the bar not been there, I don’t think we would have been as lucky as we were,” she said. This observation carries significant weight, as it demonstrates that the safety features on chairlifts are not just suggestions or conveniences—they are potentially life-saving devices that should be used every single time. Raizel’s final plea to fellow skiers was simple but urgent: “Seriously, put the bar down.” This message resonates even more powerfully coming from someone who has experienced firsthand the difference that safety bar can make in an emergency situation. For many seasoned skiers, lowering the safety bar can seem like an unnecessary precaution, particularly on short lifts or during good weather conditions. However, this incident at Big Bear Mountain Resort proves that unexpected situations can arise at any moment, and that simple safety measure could mean the difference between life and death.
Moving Forward With Renewed Respect for Safety
Despite the traumatic nature of their experience, all three women displayed remarkable resilience and determination. When they finally reached the top of the mountain slope, they were understandably shaken—who wouldn’t be after such a close call? However, the incident hasn’t deterred them from continuing to enjoy the sport they love. Roula herself summed up their attitude with characteristic determination: “Nonetheless, nothing will ever stop us from going down the slopes.” This spirit of resilience is admirable, but it’s clear that this experience has changed their perspective on chairlift safety. The viral nature of the video—with over 16 million views and counting—has also served a greater purpose beyond documenting their frightening ordeal. It has sparked important conversations about ski safety, the importance of following resort guidelines, and the need to take even routine aspects of skiing seriously. For every person who has watched that video and felt their stomach drop imagining themselves in Roula’s position, the message is clear: safety measures exist for a reason, and they should never be taken lightly. Whether you’re a first-time skier or someone who has been hitting the slopes for decades, the simple act of lowering that safety bar and refraining from horseplay on the chairlift could one day save your life or the life of someone you love. The Big Bear incident serves as a powerful reminder that in outdoor sports, complacency can be dangerous, and that we should always respect both the equipment and the environment in which we’re recreating.
