I was confused by the mention of cable cars and staff members, which either were or weren’t involved in the late gentleman’s sudden descent.
It is confusingly written. Particularly the reference to a broken cable car. Makes it sound like that was the only reason they were walking down. But considering the totality of the information provided, apparently his friend got back to the upper terminus of the cable lift, but they both had to go a long distance to get there because they had ventured so far off the designated ski slope.