318 replies to this topic

[DonaldMReif]

Well you have a point liftmech. I can agree it is a little confusing which line is for the Colorado SuperChair and which is the one for the Rocky Mountain SuperChair. Part of it might be the fact that for space, the entrance to the Colorado SuperChair is usually parallel to the lift terminal, while the Rocky Mountain SuperChair's maze starts next to the point where the Colorado SuperChair's queue makes its turn (and that is also where the ski school line for both lifts begins).

However, I can point to several instances of lift queue setups where two lifts begin next to each other that do not seem to have problems.

First is the queues for the Wildwood Express and Mountaintop Express lifts at Vail (and I mean the current six pack, not the former quad). The Mountaintop Express lift's queues both start next to both of the Wildwood Express lift's queues and are more or less shaped by the presence of that lift. The design works rather effectively in my opinion even though I only have done one day at Vail with the current Mountaintop Express lift.

Also at Vail is the bottom terminals of the Skyline Express and Teacup Express lifts. I've never exactly liked that the Teacup Express lift's line is configured such that you come off the bridge over the creek and have to make a very awkward gooseneck turn to get into the queue. You also once had to do that with the Sourdough Express lift until 2010 when they converted that lift from 90 degree loading to an inline loading lift (the only two lifts at Vail with 90 degree loading are the Highline Express lift and the Mountaintop Express lift).

Another instance might be the Eskimo Express and Prospector Express lifts at Winter Park. Those queues are distinctly separate.

This post has been edited by DonaldMReif: 12 December 2013 - 07:07 AM

[vons]

liftmech, on 12 December 2013 - 05:07 AM, said:

Remember they bent chair 5 to move it away from the bottom of Colorado when it was built. Wouldn't put it past them to realign the new lift just because.

As for upgrading the lift not long before replacing it, that happened to us with H-lift. Gearbox, controls, aux, and so forth. I'm currently throwing money at the Flyer in hopes that the same thing happens

Thats the ticket get pencil pushers start to notice the cost.

Unfortunately If flyer gets replaced I could see the lift being recycled. Flyer is such a big lift that in another possibly lower capacity alignment it could work well and still have a great number of spare parts. How bout as a new Alpine @ 1800pph

Back toward the topic, I have heard rumor that taos will build Kachina peak lift next year and that Skytrac is going to build it, I think they are getting the first Monarch XL terminal which is the high tension and horsepower fixed grip terminal model.

[missouriskier]

vons, on 12 December 2013 - 09:59 AM, said:

Thats the ticket get pencil pushers start to notice the cost.

Unfortunately If flyer gets replaced I could see the lift being recycled. Flyer is such a big lift that in another possibly lower capacity alignment it could work well and still have a great number of spare parts. How bout as a new Alpine @ 1800pph

Back toward the topic, I have heard rumor that taos will build Kachina peak lift next year and that Skytrac is going to build it, I think they are getting the first Monarch XL terminal which is the high tension and horsepower fixed grip terminal model.

That sort of seems connected to the sale of TSV. Many people on the Taos Facebook page were posting how much they hated the idea of that lift, because I guess they assume that to try to increase skier visits the new owner will start with the most spectacular addition. As for me, I love the idea and think it will help put Taos on the map better.

[jaytrem]

missouriskier, on 12 December 2013 - 11:47 AM, said:

That sort of seems connected to the sale of TSV. Many people on the Taos Facebook page were posting how much they hated the idea of that lift, because I guess they assume that to try to increase skier visits the new owner will start with the most spectacular addition. As for me, I love the idea and think it will help put Taos on the map better.

I wonder if the sale brings back the possibility of a gondola. If I had a billion dollars I'd probably build one. At least it should mean a couple high speed lifts will be put in. I think Taos is the only true destination resort that still has all fixed grips. For me that's fine, but I'm guessing the typical resort traveler has gotten used to much faster lifts by now.

[missouriskier]

jaytrem, on 12 December 2013 - 01:57 PM, said:

I wonder if the sale brings back the possibility of a gondola. If I had a billion dollars I'd probably build one. At least it should mean a couple high speed lifts will be put in. I think Taos is the only true destination resort that still has all fixed grips. For me that's fine, but I'm guessing the typical resort traveler has gotten used to much faster lifts by now.

For that reason (all fixed-grip), Taos is somewhat special, and I don't mind since the lifts aren't that long there anyway. That being said, to keep up with the other resorts, a couple of HSQs would be appropriate. I don't think that people are complaining about Wolf Creek or Arapahoe Basin being ruined by detachables, are they?

The master plan is on their website, and it does indeed have some lift upgrades and replacements as well as the Kachina Peak lift. Because of the master plan, I doubt that the gondola will be considered in the near future, but you never know. At some point in the future, a top to bottom lift could be appropriate.

[jaytrem]

missouriskier, on 12 December 2013 - 03:59 PM, said:

For that reason (all fixed-grip), Taos is somewhat special, and I don't mind since the lifts aren't that long there anyway. That being said, to keep up with the other resorts, a couple of HSQs would be appropriate. I don't think that people are complaining about Wolf Creek or Arapahoe Basin being ruined by detachables, are they?

The master plan is on their website, and it does indeed have some lift upgrades and replacements as well as the Kachina Peak lift. Because of the master plan, I doubt that the gondola will be considered in the near future, but you never know. At some point in the future, a top to bottom lift could be appropriate.

Yeah, I have the approved plan saved on my computer. I remember seeing an earlier version (or alternative) with a gondola going to the top of 2. I always figure the big advantage to a lift like that is summer tourism more than skiing. Not sure how much Taos skiing I'll be getting in, right now my sister-in-law lives in NM, but I'm pretty sure her husband (Air Force) will be transferred somewhat soon. Good chance of Florida, BLAH!!!

[eagle628]

A new real estate development is in planning at Okemo in Vermont, which would include two new lifts below the existing South Face area for 2014, though the full housing construction would take several years more. It's unclear whether the developer or Okemo would be responsible for the construction, though the resort will be operating the lifts once they open.

[DonaldMReif]

Speaking of the upgrade to the Colorado SuperChair, a few employees were installing a sign announcing the upgrade at the bottom terminal on Thursday. Took some work to get a shot with all the text without a worker equipped with a drill standing in the way. Breckenridge must be rather excited about it given their overuse of exclamation marks:

This post has been edited by DonaldMReif: 28 December 2013 - 03:00 PM

[Julien]

New lift for 2014 at Beaver Creek, CO: http://investors.vai...eleaseID=816746

[Peter]

Julien, on 02 January 2014 - 05:34 PM, said:

New lift for 2014 at Beaver Creek, CO: http://investors.vai...eleaseID=816746

First announced as a 6-pack, now a 6-pack chair/10 passenger cabin Chondola

[DonaldMReif]

Making it the Centennial Chondola does make sense, given that there is a lot of terrain serviced just by that lift alignment that's good for doing laps on (I wouldn't want to be taking my skis off after each run now, would I? Especially when I've seen that Snowbasin would be a lot better of a resort if the Strawberrry Gondola were a high speed quad or six pack instead) and there is a restaurant at Spruce Saddle. What will the frequency of gondola cabins be, though? My best bet would be it will probably be a ratio of one gondola cabin per every four chairs, like Sunday River's Chondola.

This post has been edited by DonaldMReif: 02 January 2014 - 08:03 PM

[Backbowlsbilly]

Just out of curiosity, I wonder what the timeline is for the Ever Vail project in Vail, now that they're done with the Mid-Vail area improvements (High Noon Express, Mountaintop Express, Gondola One and the 10th restaurant) The current plan calls for a new gondola that extends from the new base village to Eagle's Nest but I wonder if that's still a possibility since the plan hasn't been approved yet.

[DonaldMReif]

I haven't heard anything, but the maps suggest that if built, the Ever Vail Gondola would also incorporate the Pride Express lift line. Personally I think the Pride Express needs to stay because it's great for lapping Simba and Bwana without going down through the Born Free Express at the base area.

[skier2]

I know that Lutsen just installed a new HSS and is working to install a new snowmaking pipe from Lake Supperior next summer; I realize that the potential for another new lift probably depends on the financial success of this ski season, but what is the likelihood that the new gondola will be installed next summer? Does anyone know anything? I know LPOA was looking to write a bid for the project when there this summer installing the Caribou Express, but that's the latest news I've heard.

[Lift Dinosaur]

skier2, on 09 January 2014 - 11:37 AM, said:

I know that Lutsen just installed a new HSS and is working to install a new snowmaking pipe from Lake Supperior next summer; I realize that the potential for another new lift probably depends on the financial success of this ski season, but what is the likelihood that the new gondola will be installed next summer? Does anyone know anything? I know LPOA was looking to write a bid for the project when there this summer installing the Caribou Express, but that's the latest news I've heard.

Their time line is in the next few years, but I'm pretty sure it will not happen this summer. They will want to evaluate the benefits of this year's operation of the HSS and see how that fits into their future plans.
Dino

[snoloco]

The Village project at Killington is in the works now. Still the planning phase. If it happens, then it will make Ramshead and Snowshed base areas into one big base area. That will make Ramshead Snowshed the main base area. Currently, there is no clear main base area. Since Ramshead Snowshed will be the main base area they will receive much more skier traffic. That means that the lifts in those areas could be upgraded. This is only my speculation, but I think that there will be a new HSS on Ramshead to replace the HSQ and increase capacity. There is massive trail acreage on Ramshead, but only one HSQ. The Ramshead pod could easily handle 3600 skiers an hour. They also may rip out the HSQ and 2 double chairs on Snowshed and another HSS there. It is much more efficient to operate one HSS than 2 doubles and an HSQ. Since Ramshead Snowshed would be the main base area, there would be many people accessing the mountain through there. These lifts would be the first impression of many customers on Killington. You would probably want to have newer lifts in your main base area for this reason. If people see shiny new lifts when they first access the mountain, they will think that the place is well kept and well run. If they see older lifts, then they may think that the place is run down. They may also move the HSQ on Ramshead to Snowdon Mountain to replace the fixed-grip Snowdon Quad, since that lift is the only key lift left on the mountain that is a fixed-grip and it is long enough to have a detachable. Once again, this is my speculation but, these improvements are within the realm of possibility.

[jaytrem]

I'm actually at Killington right now. The place is looking pretty spiffy since I last skied here. That would have been the last year of ASC ownership. Everything looks freshly painted (especially the lifts compared to last time) and the new summit lodge is nice.

One thing that has been rumored since they put in the K1 gondola was the placement allows for easy expansion down to Snowshed/Ramshead. If that does eventually become the primary base area I'm sure a 1 seat ride to the summit would be somewhat important for both their skiing and non-skiing activities.

In other gondola news Stratton has announce they're replacing their cabins. They have a new on one display already, standard looking 8 seater. Not sure if that's been mentioned here yet. So is Whistler next?

[skier2]

Lift Dinosaur, on 09 January 2014 - 12:40 PM, said:

Their time line is in the next few years, but I'm pretty sure it will not happen this summer. They will want to evaluate the benefits of this year's operation of the HSS and see how that fits into their future plans.
Dino

Well sooner would definitely be better than later. The fossil doesn't have much life left in 'er.

[SkiBachelor]

Panorama, B.C. just announced its intentions of installing a new Doppelmayr ECO Drive lift. I can't see this lift being very long based on it being an ECO-Drive, but I would be mistaken.

http://www.newswire....ountain-village

[eagle628]

snoloco, on 09 January 2014 - 02:17 PM, said:

The Village project at Killington is in the works now. Still the planning phase. If it happens, then it will make Ramshead and Snowshed base areas into one big base area. That will make Ramshead Snowshed the main base area. Currently, there is no clear main base area. Since Ramshead Snowshed will be the main base area they will receive much more skier traffic. That means that the lifts in those areas could be upgraded. This is only my speculation, but I think that there will be a new HSS on Ramshead to replace the HSQ and increase capacity. There is massive trail acreage on Ramshead, but only one HSQ. The Ramshead pod could easily handle 3600 skiers an hour. They also may rip out the HSQ and 2 double chairs on Snowshed and another HSS there. It is much more efficient to operate one HSS than 2 doubles and an HSQ. Since Ramshead Snowshed would be the main base area, there would be many people accessing the mountain through there. These lifts would be the first impression of many customers on Killington. You would probably want to have newer lifts in your main base area for this reason. If people see shiny new lifts when they first access the mountain, they will think that the place is well kept and well run. If they see older lifts, then they may think that the place is run down. They may also move the HSQ on Ramshead to Snowdon Mountain to replace the fixed-grip Snowdon Quad, since that lift is the only key lift left on the mountain that is a fixed-grip and it is long enough to have a detachable. Once again, this is my speculation but, these improvements are within the realm of possibility.

The rumor I've heard is that the Snowdon Quad will be moved to the South Ridge area to replace the old triple they removed a few years ago. I would hope that includes snowmaking improvements to that area, it's woefully underutilized at present.