Skilifts.org / SORT Forum

The Z98 made us put bars on around 1990-1991.

I would have thought that the Zephyr at WP would have footrests due to its length. There are a mix of footrests/comfort bars on fixed grip lifts in colorado really varries by resort.

highspeedquad, on Feb 8 2005, 04:20 PM, said:

Yep- when we shortened K a few years ago (2002?) we had six carriers extra. It's always good to have an example from a beginner chair where the new skiers can get comfortable with it. I also use it as a nap bench ;)

Comfort bars are required by some authorities mostly to soothe the public. The Zephyr doen't have them because (and perhaps Anika or Kevin can confirm this) the lap bar was considered lower maintenance then the full footrest. On the Pomas, at least, that's where we have the most problems- footrests breaking off the main lap bar.

I didnt realize that foot rests falling off was a major concern. The only lift I have ever ridden where there was a concern of parts falling off is the T-Bar at breck. The cord for the Ts breaks all the time.

I have never heard of them having to deal with footrests falling of the bar. Also, I would think that the Zephyr would indeed have footrests, considering that it is one of the main lifts.

I seem to remember it having foot rests at one point but I could be mistaken.

I don't have any recollection of it having footrests but I too could be wrong, considering my skiing career is rather short.

Until last weekend it has been 6 years since I had skied WP so it would have been arround 95-99 when I thought I had seen footrests. But then again I havent used footrests since the early 90's so I may be mistaken.

Some people in this topic, http://www.skilifts.org/nwsforum/index.php...topic=1945&st=0 would like to see Zephyr upgraded, and if they did that, I would think that they would put in footrests.

highspeedquad, on Feb 10 2005, 04:11 PM, said:

You won't, except that I just mentioned it. We're pretty quick to remove damaged footrests because they constitute a safety hazard. Most places I know of stash an extra at one end of the lift to make the swap faster. We have three lifts with lap-only bars, and five with footrests. Guess which ones we have to fix all the time? The footrests also provide an extra point of stress on the horizontal bar, and that causes breakage right in the middle of that part as well. Doppelmayr seems to have a pretty solid design, but I also don't work on that lift so perhaps those ones break as well.

:---: Hmmm the Flyer?

highspeedquad, on Feb 10 2005, 07:45 PM, said:

I may be incorrect but I think that the Zephyr did at one point have footrests. Probably was just a decision from a maintnence stand point if they did remove the footrests.

Personally, I would like the Zephyr to get its footrests back, assuming it had any. The only thing I don't like about footrests is that they are hard to lift up if you are riding by yourself.

I've never had a problem lifting up the bar while riding by myself, but then again, the Doppelmayr HSQs at Mt. Bachelor all have the spring system. Basically, there are two spring conisters on the back of the lift; rather small in size, and you just have ot pick it up part way and it does the rest of the work for you. It makes lifting it a lot easier too.

Poma bars with footrests are really light on all the lifts I have ridden. I have never had problem rasing them on my own.

Well, you have to remember that you are in your 20's and I am still in junior high school. The bars without footrests are really light. One reason why I might not know too much about how light they are is that I usually ski with my family or my friends and if I do get on a lift without my family there are usually a few people.
This post has been edited by highspeedquad: 12 February 2005 - 09:01 PM

That is true but I never remember them being that heavy but then again I havent used a foot rest or bar in the last 10 years or so.

I like the footrests, but it's sometimes hard to reach. (I'm more vertically challenged than the average joe)

i leave it up unless #1. there is a small kid on the chair. #2. other people on the chair wants it down. #3. I get scared shitless. (only happened once)

Kicking Horse, on Feb 13 2005, 01:17 AM, said:

Ride the Riva Bahn all the way to the top. I have never seen anyone who didnt get scared at the final span. Well at least the first time.
This post has been edited by poloxskier: 13 February 2005 - 12:50 AM