29 replies to this topic

[Peter]

Saddleback says it needs to secure $3 million within two weeks in order to replace the Rangeley double with a Doppelmayr quad for next season. They made the decision the existing lift will not run again.

https://www.facebook...153104015568510

http://www.presshera...lion-financing/

[vons]

Are they determined to get a Doppelmayr? I didn't see any indication that a manufacturer had been selected in the article just that the ballpark number was 3 million.

[JHappel]

http://www.saddlebac...ase-7-20-15.pdf

I didn't see any mention that they were going with a Doppelmayr, only that "...replaced by a fixed grip quad similar to the South Branch and Kennebago Lifts." Which I believe are both Doppelmayr/CTEC lifts. They did upgrade the drive in 2004 to a CTEC drive.

It would be too bad if they did not open this winter but I can see how it would be tough to operate without a lift there

This post has been edited by JHappel: 20 July 2015 - 03:57 PM

[machskier]

Sounds like they made a business decision to replace up mountain lifts to the Kennebago and South Branch Quads hoping to drive skier visits and address the aging central Rangley lift later. Sounds like that failed to materialize for them. Too bad, hope it works out, but should have addressed an aging central lift firstor second at least I think. New upper monutain lifts do no good if you can't feed them.

[RibStaThiok]

Makes me wonder what has happened that they can't get 1 more year of use out of it.. not passing safety inspections? tower issues? Rope age?

http://www.skilifts....ey/rangley.html

[vons]

According to Saddleback resort's responses on FB nothing is wrong mechanically with the lift, the lift is just way under capacity for their needs.

I think their get the lift now or no season is a bit of an extreme position to take if their responses on FB are accurate.

[eagle628]

My guess is their lender/lenders are not thrilled with the idea of lending another $3 million and the resort is trying to force their hand by threatening the loss of their investment if they don't cough up more money. It seems very odd that they would be doing it in public though. I suppose they're able to play the victim card this way, if they can make it look like the banks are blocking them, rather than than their failure to upgrade the main lift on the mountain coming back to bite them. I don't think they're wrong about the double being the main impediment to their future.

[Conrad]

Here's a question someone asked and Saddleback's answer:

Quote

Is the current double chair that close to the end of its life? As in, it needs to be dismantled now?

Saddleback said:

The lift issue is a capacity & economic issue not a safety issue.

[NHskier13]

It survived this way for a few years, I agree with the replacement or no opening is a bit drastic. Do you think they could reuse the replacement drive and returns on a new quad, or would it only be compatible with a double or older parts?

[Peter]

NHskier13, on 22 July 2015 - 08:41 AM, said:

It survived this way for a few years, I agree with the replacement or no opening is a bit drastic. Do you think they could reuse the replacement drive and returns on a new quad, or would it only be compatible with a double or older parts?

Those terminals are too narrow for a quad. Saddleback would be smart to keep them as they have two other ancient lifts that need replacing. The fact that the terminals are for sale speaks to the owners' desperation.

[Conrad]

Peter, on 22 July 2015 - 09:55 AM, said:

Those terminals are too narrow for a quad. Saddleback would be smart to keep them as they have two other ancient lifts that need replacing. The fact that the terminals are for sale speaks to the owners' desperation.

You say that they have two other lifts that need replacing, but in fact their 1960 Hall t-bar seems as popular as ever, and they have actually said that given its popularity and the uproar it was cause if they were to replace it, there are no plans to do anything with it. I guess it is sort of a cult following. I'm not sure about their 1967 Sandy double, though. It seems very well maintained, at least aesthetically.

I'm surprised no one has mentioned their acquisition of Camden Snow Bowl's Big t-bar, I wonder what they were planning on doing with that? For all I know it could have just been to get the spare parts.

[RibStaThiok]

Hmm. Perhaps a used Triple that is near 4,717 ft in length would work for them... There's been a few removed last year and a few no doubt being removed/replaced this year.. Any on the east coast?

[vons]

They have had plans for an expansion that the lift would have been a good fit for.

To bad it cost so much to ship from Europe there were 3-4 good used FGQ and even a few later model HSQs for sale.

[ss20]

RibStaThiok, on 22 July 2015 - 02:09 PM, said:

Hmm. Perhaps a used Triple that is near 4,717 ft in length would work for them... There's been a few removed last year and a few no doubt being removed/replaced this year.. Any on the east coast?

If Attitash sold their's and got the HSQ they've wanted there could be a deal. But Peaks is adamant on not removing it. All their money goes to Mount Snow. Doesn't bother me none, lol.

[NHskier13]

http://www.newenglan...php?storyid=291

For putting up the drive terminal for 200,000 and the whole lift for 350,000, I'd imagine the double may be taken pretty quick by a smaller area looking to expand, or really by anyone looking for spare parts. I imagine a lot of places could possibly use borvig chairs and grips, and the terminal could be used for a lot of different things. But keep in mind I have a little overactive imagination

The Mueller Lattice towers are already being used as replacement towers for the Triple at Ski Ward, MA and the Quad at Ski Butternut, MA.

This post has been edited by NHskier13: 25 July 2015 - 12:59 PM

[NHskier13]

Supposedly the current owners may sell the area, due to the ownership unable to secure funding for a new lift. Here's the latest from New England Ski Industry :
http://www.newenglan...php?storyid=306

[Yooper Skier]

Operations for this season are slim to none as they cancelled their NDT and their mechanics have found new jobs from what I hear of our northern neighbor. Sad. Terrific skiing. Really hoping a ski conglomerate doesn't absorb them.

[Lift Dinosaur]

Yooper Skier, on 07 September 2015 - 03:49 PM, said:

Operations for this season are slim to none as they cancelled their NDT and their mechanics have found new jobs from what I hear of our northern neighbor. Sad. Terrific skiing. Really hoping a ski conglomerate doesn't absorb them.

Better to be absorbed by a "ski conglomerate" or to become NELSAP?
Dino

This post has been edited by Lift Dinosaur: 07 September 2015 - 04:18 PM

[Yooper Skier]

Lift Dinosaur, on 07 September 2015 - 04:17 PM, said:

Better to be absorbed by a "ski conglomerate" or to become NELSAP?
Dino

True that!

[Lift Dinosaur]

Hopefully whoever the unnamed buyers are will get it up and running for the winter and make improvements next summer.
Dino