1 dead, 3 hurt in Switzerland

I'm not embarrassed to fess up that I don't do roller coasters and I've only been on the Tower of Terror Chair Lift Worriesonce (which was more than enough). And ski lifts have always creeped me out.

As far as I'm concerned, the wire doesn't look strong enough and the chair doesn't come with enough straps and buckles. And of course, there's nothing but snow and ice between the ground and me. Not exactly a safety conscious combination.

Once you're afraid of something it only takes only one freak accident to fuel that fear into an all-consuming beast.

Early today on the pass above Grindelwald - one of Switzerland's most popular ski resorts - one man was killed and 3 injured when fierce winds forced their chair off the cable and straight down.

Other passengers on nearby chairs were evacuated from the ground because high winds made a helicopter rescue too dangerous. I've always consulted the weather forecast before skiing for frostbite concerns but never for the safety of the lifts.

Is it just me or does climbing down a 20 story ladder swinging in the wind seem ridiculously terrifying?

I love to ski, and up until now I've been able to temper my unease of the chairlift with the thought of flying down the hill, the wind in my face, blah, blah, blah.

I think I need a nice long Caribbean vacation to think about this and consider my options.

Do chairlifts give you the heebee jeebies?

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