This is the heart-stopping moment skiers fling themselves from a runaway chairlift after it suddenly rockets backwards down the slope, the swinging seats threatening to slam into them as they leap for their lives.

The incident happened at Gongchangling Hot Spring Ski Resort in Liaoyang, Liaoning Province, China, on 18th February.

Video shows the chairlift rapidly reversing at speed, with seats jolting and swaying violently as they approach the station area without stopping.

Several skiers are seen jumping from the moving chairs onto the ground below as staff shout urgent warnings including “back up” and “lie down”.

Some land heavily before scrambling clear, while others immediately drop flat onto the slope to avoid being struck by the oncoming chairs.

Bystanders can be heard shouting instructions and helping people off the chairs and out of the path of danger, as others scream while the lift continues to race backwards.

Chairlift malfunctions at a ski resort in Liaoyang City, Liaoning Province in China, Feb. 18, 2026. Note: Photo is a screenshot from a video. (AsiaWire)

On 19th February, staff at the ski resort confirmed the malfunction occurred the previous day and said the affected lift had been taken out of service. They stated that no one was injured in the incident.

Resort staff said some concerned visitors went to hospital for precautionary checks, but there were no reported casualties.

The ski resort remains open, with another lift operating normally while the faulty lift undergoes repairs.

(Aloysius Fernandes /AsiaWire)