SAM Magazine-Juneau, Alaska, Dec. 28, 2009-A refurbished chairlift at Eaglecrest Ski Area was shut down Dec. 23 after only a few days of operation due to a broken shaft on the auxiliary side of the gearbox. Eaglecrest general manager Kirk Duncan said the broken part affected two of the lift's four braking systems, but that safety of the lift was not compromised.

While the refurbished lift consists mostly of new parts, the broken shaft was not new, Duncan said. The broken part was discovered by visual inspection. The lift is expected to be repaired and reopened in early January.