CARRABASSETT VALLEY — Sugarloaf Mountain Resort is preparing to reopen a chairlift that derailed on Dec. 28, injuring eight skiers.

The resort is conducting a load test of the Spillway East chairlift this afternoon.

The test is expected to take several hours and involves loading the chairs with boxes filled with water and then testing brakes and other components.

The load test is the final step before Maine’s Board of Elevator and Tramway Safety will allow the lift to reopen.

Sugarloaf expects to learn the results of the test by late this afternoon and hopes to reopen the lift on Saturday.

There’s still no word on a cause of the Dec. 28 accident.