There are a few lightning fatalities on ski slopes every year. There are instances where lightning strikes the lift and no one gets hurt. But you aren't safe like birds on a wire are safe.

Yes, ski lifts are frequently struck by lightning, as they are essentially massive, elevated steel lightning rods situated on high mountain ridges. However, they are designed with sophisticated "grounding" systems to handle these strikes safely. When lightning hits a lift tower or the haul rope, the electricity is channeled through the steel structure and into a series of grounding rods buried deep in the earth, bypassing the electronic control systems and the passengers. In 2026, ski resorts have become exceptionally cautious: if a storm is detected within a 20 to 30-mile radius, the resort will begin "downloading" guests (bringing them down the mountain) and will close the lifts entirely before the storm arrives. If you are on a lift during a storm, you are generally safe because you are "insulated" by the chair, but the danger comes from the high winds and potential power outages associated with the storm. Modern lifts also feature "lightning protection" modules in their computer systems to prevent the motors from being fried. While the equipment gets hit often, injuries to passengers are extremely rare because of these strict "weather-closure" protocols that prevent anyone from being on the mountain when a strike is likely.