Skilifts.org / SORT Forum

I have seen FG lifts with line speeds all over the place, from 200 to (I believe 400 with a carpet?). Besides the ability of the drive unit and the carrier spacing, what else influences a lift's line speed? At the area near me, there are 2 nearly identical chairs, with only about 30' of vertical difference, each serving the same type of terrain. The one farther from the lodge is rated at 50fpm faster than the one closest. Why could this be?

Also, are FG lifts ever run, loaded up, to true maximum speeds? I always have a feeling some of the longer FG lifts would go a decent amount faster if they were set to.
Some, like Ranger at Keystone for example, are, I'm sure capable of running at a higher line speed than they do, but for what Ranger serves, higher speed would be a bad idea..
But, by majority, are FG lifts ever run constantly at true full speed?

When I was at Telluride 6 and 9 would knock you over if the lifties didn't hold the chairs. Also, quads always run slower. It's a loading thing. The more misloads, the slower the chair will go. Doubles and triples serving advanced and expert terrain go very fast because there aren't any misloads. Quads on beginner terrain suck because people are very likely to misload.

Mountain Creek, NJ has 4 fixed grip lifts. They are the Sugar Quad, Vernon Triple, Granite Peak Quad, and Sojourn Double. The slowest is the Sugar Quad which only runs 350 fpm. For the terrain it serves (the bunny hill). A higher speed wouldn't be possible. The Vernon Triple is run at 400 fpm all the time. It is probably rated for 500 fpm, but because of the loading ramp, it can't run that fast. It can't even run consistantly at 400 fpm without stopping multiple times on the way up. The Sojourn Double runs at 450 fpm most of the time. According to its installation specs, that is its design speed. It has a low capacity due to far chair spacing, so the higher speed isn't a problem. It probably could run even faster if it were rated for more. The Granite Peak Quad is definitely the fastest. According to the world book it is rated for 2.4 m/s which is about 475 fpm. It often runs at this speed, but has a slightly slower "normal speed" on weekends due to high volumes of beginners. This speed is about 450 fpm. This lift serves only intermediate and expert terrain, so it is most possible on this lift to run at its full speed.

Simply ANSI code sets the max design speeds, If my memory serves me right I think it is max of 500 fpm for a FGQ with a loading carpet and max of 450fpm without. FGDs and FGTs max out a 550fpm with a loading carpet and 500 without. Resorts will often spec or set a lift to slower speeds biased on skier ability and terrain capacity (parking skiers on the lift vs on the trails)

Vons, is correct , although we have a FGD w/o a carpet that runs at 525 fpm . Yes it is a fast ride, must have your best lift ops loading, becomes a slower ride when busy due to all the mis loads, it has a nick name "The Mangler".

Note ansi governs 'relative loading speed' which can be mitigated with a carpet on either side loading or unloading.
600 FPM max for Single chairs
550 FPM max for doubles
500 FPM max for triples
450 FPM max for quads.

Note that how detachables get around it is the 'loading and unloading' areas are slower. The key is relative to the surface that the skier is standing on what is the difference in speed of the lift?

iceberg210, on 25 March 2014 - 10:08 AM, said:

This is what I remember seeing before. Do they have a speed for six-person lifts? I know that there is only one in North America, and it's in Canada, so they might not even use ANSI standards there.

Edit: Fixed grip six passenger lifts, that is.
This post has been edited by missouriskier: 26 March 2014 - 11:18 AM

I believe Hunter Mountain, NY runs the F-Lift at 550 fpm. It is a 1984 Poma triple. The chair really swings when you get on. I will have to time it next weekend.

Old Little Cloud is listed at 600FPM on this site but I don't remember it being particularly fast. With the length and time it would have only ran at 500FPM. Just worth mentioning.

missouriskier, on 25 March 2014 - 05:09 PM, said:

We have the Z98, which is legislated law in BC and Ontario.

Single chair with or without carpet - 3.0 m/s
Double chair with or without carpet - 2.8 m/s
Triple chair with carpet - 2.6 m/s, without - 2.5 m/s
Quadruple (or more) with carpet - 2.6 m/s, without - 2.3 m/s

Allan, on 26 March 2014 - 06:40 PM, said:

Interesting. Thanks. Those work out to within a few feet per minute of the standards in the U.S.

Is there a maximum speed for monocable ropeways period? I thought I remember something about certain states, and maybe Canada, not allowing over 1100 fpm on a detachable chairlift. Maybe it was just because that's the normal highest speed for them to operate at.
This post has been edited by missouriskier: 26 March 2014 - 07:28 PM

The info I posted above is from the table "Maximum relative carrier speeds for circulating passenger ropeways" and applies to detachables as well. I can't see anything directly relating to line speeds for detachables.

I think ANSI was 1100 for an open carrier (chairlifts) not sure if there is one for enclosed systems (gondolas/mono-cable trams). Detachable gondolas have been maxing out at 1200fpm lately, I think above this speed the real-estate for terminals and maintenance of the system become economically prohibitive.