|
|
|
|
Problems with two diesel generators providing
electricity to Kirkwood Mountain Resort
contributed to the resort's closure Sunday and
limited chairlift operations throughout the early
part of this week.
Kirkwood's admission of the power problems comes
after the resort initially indicated the closure
was the result of bad weather.
The new information has angered some passholders.
"The main reason I was upset was I felt like I
called asking directly about their power
situation. They told my there was no issue with
the power, and I went out there and there were
power issues," said South Lake Tahoe resident and
season passholder Dave Goodall. "I still love the
resort; I just don't appreciate the way they
handled the situation."
The resort has since apologized.
"The resort apologizes for any confusion created
by snow phone messages, online reporting or live
local updates in regard to road closures or lift
operations," Kirkwood spokesman Daniel Pisterosi
said in an e-mail.
At about 3 p.m. Saturday, a newly purchased
diesel-powered generator at Mountain Utilities,
Kirkwood's electricity provider, experienced a
problem with a fuel injector, according to an
e-mail from David Likens, CEO for Kirkwood
Mountain Resort.
Power was out at the resort for around 45 minutes
during this incident, according to the e-mail.
This outage was followed by the mechanical failure
of a second recently purchased generator at about
4 a.m. Sunday.
Although the spare part necessary to fix the
second generator was expected to arrive from Reno
by 9 a.m. Sunday, heavy snow caused Carson Pass to
close until nearly 3 p.m.
This outage, combined with the inability to get
the necessary parts and personnel to fix the
generator the resort, ultimately caused the resort
to close completely that day.
The complete closure was followed by an incomplete
opening the following day. Mountain Utilities
requested only a partial opening with four
chairlifts to ensure it could provide power to
residential customers.
Kirkwood was able to fully open by about 10:30
a.m. Tuesday, according to an e-mail from
Pisterosi.
|
|
|
