When Ski Lifts Go Wrong
A physics-based construction sim set on snowy mountains.
When Ski Lifts Go Wrong is a construction and management simulation video game from 2019. It was created by the British independent studio Hugecalf Studios and released by Curve Digital. The game first became available in early access on 4 October 2017, and it launched in full on 23 January 2019 for Windows, macOS, and Nintendo Switch.
In the game, players use low-poly, physics-based building to create chairlifts, gondolas, jumps, and bridges. These structures help non-player character skiers travel through a snowy mountain setting. The main objective is to build strong constructions while staying within a budget. Each level starts with a landscape on a paper background, where players place materials and attach cables. The game shows stress levels on each structure using color, so players know which parts need improvement. A level is completed when a working structure carries a set number of riders safely to the other side of the map. Across more than 100 levels, players must keep the map intact and transport riders without accidents. Other factors include a star rating based on how many stars riders collect and a price limit to stay under. A level editor lets players create their own maps.
During early access, the game was called *Carried Away*. A downloadable content pack, *Carried Away: Winter Sports*, came out on 9 February 2018. It added new modes and allowed players to compete in different sports. Critics described the game as easy to pick up but hard to master, and they compared it to *Happy Wheels* and *Bridge Constructor*.
Quick Facts
- Title
- When Ski Lifts Go Wrong
- Developer
- Hugecalf Studios
- Publisher
- Curve Digital
- Released
- WW · 23 January 2019
- Genre
- Construction and management simulation
- Modes
- Single-player
- Platforms
- Windows, macOS, Nintendo Switch
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
When Ski Lifts Go Wrong was released in early access on 4 October 2017 under the name Carried Away. A downloadable content pack titled Carried Away: Winter Sports was released on 9 February 2018, adding new modes and enabling players to compete in different sports. The game fully launched on 23 January 2019 for Windows, macOS, and Nintendo Switch.
In the game, players construct chairlifts, gondolas, jumps, and bridges to get non-playable character skiers through a snowy mountain setting. Each stage begins with a landscape over a paper background where materials can be placed and a cable attached. The game visualizes stress on each structure using colors, helping players identify areas for improvement. Levels are completed when a working structure carries a set number of riders safely across the map, with factors such as a star rating for collected stars and a price limit to stay under. A level editor allows players to create their own maps.
Reader's Guide
When Ski Lifts Go Wrong has been described as a game that is 'easy to pick up, but hard to master.' It has been compared to Happy Wheels and Bridge Constructor, reflecting its blend of physics-based puzzle solving and structural engineering challenges. The game's early access period under the name Carried Away allowed for community feedback and the addition of the Winter Sports DLC, which expanded the gameplay with new modes. Its release on multiple platforms, including the Nintendo Switch, made the construction simulation accessible to a wider audience. The game's low-poly art style and stress visualization system provided a clear, intuitive way for players to learn structural principles while managing budgets and star collection goals across over 100 levels. The inclusion of a level editor extended replayability, allowing players to design and share their own challenges.
Did You Know?
- The game was released in early access under the name Carried Away on 4 October 2017.
- The game visualizes stress on structures using colors to help players improve their builds.
More in Simulation Games of the 2010s, Part 2 1-22
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced