The chairlift for Mount Sima was shut down for the weekend after another short in an electrical cable late Friday afternoon.

Craig Hougen, president of the Great Northern Ski Society, explained early this afternoon there was no need to evacuate the lift because staff were able to re-start it and clear it of all skiers and snowboarders before shutting down to begin repairs.

"Staff worked on it right through the night Friday,” he told the Star.

Hougen said replacement of the large industrial cable was completed Sunday afternoon and the lift is being put through its paces today, as it will Tuesday and Wednesday, to ensure it's fully operational under all conditions.

"We plan to be open on Thursday,” he said. "We want to be open, but we only want to be open if we would put our kids on the lift. That is our test.”

Hougen said staff suspect a large underground cable that feeds the lift likely cracked in the recent freezing and thawing, allowing water to seep in and short out the feed.

It was similar to what happened on opening day in early December, but has nothing to do with the electronics issue that kept the hill closed for a second lengthy stretch after Christmas, he pointed out.

Hougen said when the first short occurred, the hill's staff ordered enough new cable to replace all three main feeds but wasn't planning to replace the other two until this week.

Some consideration will be given later this season to providing holders of season passes with a partial refund or a break on next year's prices, he said.

Hougen said that probably won't happen until after the March school break, when staff have a better handle on how many days the hill was closed for mechanical problems and inclement weather.

Normally, he said, there are approximately 78 days the hill can be open but generally is closed between 12 and 15 because of cold weather.

This past Christmas, for instance, frigid weather kept the hill vacant for most of the holiday season.

Hougen said the constant closures have been tough on skiers, snowboarders and staff alike.

Whether the time missed will hit Mount Sima hard financially will depend on what the rest of the season is like, he said.

Hougen pointed out while the chair was down over the weekend, the two lifts were still operational and conditions were good.

The hill, he said, has some of the best snow ever, and staff have not had to make any, which also helps with the financial picture.

When the chair lift failed on opening day, the lift had to be evacuated using emergency procedures, and some skiers stranded in their chairs for almost three hours.