50 women on weekly ski trip get stranded in bus for 22 hours during Colorado snowstorm
Fifty women returning home from their weekly ski trip in Colorado were trapped for 22 hours on their bus Wednesday when a powerful winter storm struck the state.
The group, comprised of retired women and moms with children in school, made their way to Vail, Colo., approximately 100 miles west of Denver, for their last winter outing.
The 10th and final run on the Thera-ski Bus, or skiing is therapy, was cut short after they were forced off the mountain because of lightning.
As the group returned to the bus to begin their 2-hour journey home, the snow caused several tractor-trailers to jackknife, blocking the roadway on Interstate 70.
Some trucks involved did not have snow chains over their tires despite a Colorado law requiring drivers to carry them onboard from September to May as they drive over the state’s main east-west highway.
The bus was stuck in the first set of traffic jams for a few hours, but the group enjoyed the post-skiing snacks and drinks they had packed, which included banana bread, cookies, beer and wine, according to the Colorado Sun.
Traffic eventually began to move again, but the bus had to be towed through after the transmission overheated, causing more delays for the already tired group.
The bus then got stuck in more traffic behind disabled tractor-trailers as day turned into night.
“We’re resigned,” group member Bette Davis said. “We’re now sleeping on the bus. There’s nothing happening. We’re just idling there forever.”
The women, some in their mid-70s, were forced to spend the night on the bus.
Some passengers kept warm near an onboard heater while most skiers had to sleep upright — only a lucky few curled up across empty seats.
Food and water quickly disappeared, as did room in the bus’ onboard toilet.
“We did run out of food and water and were limited on our use of the bathroom,” Brenda Djorup said. “And people dug in their backpacks for tissues when we ran out of toilet paper. And we looked after each other.”
Those onboard endured the night, some faced minor medical issues, that if ignored, could have turned dire.
“We helped each other,” Djorup added. “We got snow to put on the knees of the girl who was injured. We shared what we had in our backpacks as far as food with the girl who is diabetic.”
“It was a testament to women who have dealt with other crises in our lives and knew how to handle a situation that was unexpected and uncomfortable and keeping things in its right perspective,” the retired teacher added.
The frustrated group sent emails to Gov. Jared Polis’ office and reached out to their families to get information on when they’d be moving — only when their phones had service.
“It gave us a purpose instead of just sitting there and complaining,” Mary Wagner said.
The bus was eventually freed from traffic on Thursday.
The powerful snowstorm, projected to be the worst the area saw in three years, forced several roads to close, including Interstate 70, and delayed and canceled flights into the area.
During the storm, 100 snow plows were dispersed throughout Denver, while another 30 were sent to the mountains to clear the vital interstate.
Tow trucks were also called in to help free the stuck trucks, which took approximately 30 minutes for each vehicle.
Twelve truck drivers were cited for not using chains during the storm, the Colorado State Patrol said Friday.
However, it acknowledged that sometimes trucks will be towed away to get traffic moving before a trooper can arrive to issue a ticket.
With Post wires
