This PHB/Hall Gondola was purchased used from Loon, NH where
a newer 4 person Gondi was installed in the late 80's.

The article below describes an accident that occured because of grip
failure. Lutsen made immediate repairs then completely refurbished the
gondola summer 2002. The decision to refurbish the lift rather than replace
it retains the quaint feel while providing many safe rides for years to come.
Way to go Lutsen!

Six Injured in Lutsen Gondola Accident SAM Magazine--Lutsen, Minn., August 11, 2000--
A gondola accident at Lutsen Mountains Ski Resort Wednesday injured six people,
one of them critically, as a gondola slid back along the cable near the top terminal
on Moose Mountain and struck another cabin before falling about 10 feet to the ground.
One 59-year-old man, riding in the cabin that was struck, suffered head and chest
injuries and remained in a Duluth hospital today in critical condition. His daughter,
12, was ejected from the cabin and fell to the ground, but was treated at a local
hospital and released. The cabin that slid back and fell had four people on board.
One woman in that cabin suffered a broken leg and tailbone, and was treated and released.
"The grip did not hold firm and the cabin slid back," said Jim Vick, public
relations director at Lutsen. Vick noted that the accident was the first recorded
at Lutsen since the gondola opened in 1989. In fact, reports are that the gondola
that slipped on the cable was one of 10 completely rebuilt recently and that the
entire line was load-tested in June and once again about a week ago. The gondola was
purchased from Loon Mountain Resort, N.H., where it had been in service about 20 years.
According to Vick, the gondola's components were manufactured by PHB of Germany and Hall
Ski Lifts.