469 replies to this topic

[Snoqualmie guy]

That will be a big jump in capacity for them.

[skiboardwa]

What about crystal. I know they have the bullion basin lift planed as somone already mentioned. When are they going to start the proposed tram to the summit.

http://www.skicrystal.com/_DOWNLOADS/MDP_s..._2050w1350h.pdf

http://www.skicrystal.com/1604.html

[skiboardwa]

Here i see it say the tram was supposed to start last spring.

http://www.skicrystal.com/1634.html

[Snoqualmie guy]

Looking at their plan why does it say REX is a proposed lift? I still think Crystal is not big enough for a tram when you can get to the top by taking just two lifts.

[skiboardwa]

I think the plans are a couple years old.

[Peter]

The tram will likely never happen according to the people I talked with up there this summer. It is way too expensive and Superior Tramway is unable to undertake such a large project. The mountain just does not make enough money to justify a $22 million Doppelmayr tram. They are going to focus in the future on getting Bullion Basin, Kelly's Gap Express, and the Quicksilver replacement on line. That will enable them to eliminate the parking shuttles and have everyone ski to and from the parking lots.

Rex is proposed because it would have to be modified for the tram terminal.

[Lift Kid]

Welch Village has been talking about two new chairlifts for this coming summer. They already have the new 40-some acres of land logged and graded for new runs. The current talk is that the lifts may be installed this summer. If not, next summer.5

There is some discussion about Lutsen replacing either Bridge or Eagle with a new chairlift this coming summer. Talk only of course. There was some work all over the mountain this past summer at Lutsen. All lift shacks (I heard Eagle's and Bridge's may not have been updated) were updated with split log siding and new windows. Also, all of the racing gates were repaired and refurbished this past summer. The apparent reason for these upgrades is because next winter they are hosting a ski magazine writers convention. The ski area is trying to fix everything up to look good for this convention. Supposedly, the new lift would be part of those "fix-ups". But, again, it's all talk.

[Peter]

Talk is cheap!

[Lift Kid]

Skier, on Feb 2 2008, 06:38 PM, said:

Talk is cheap!

But when you have 42 acres of logged and graded ski run land.....u might as well put in a lift!!

[boardski]

I read on the forum on Steamboat's website that they are considering replacing Thunderhead with a HSS and moving the existing HSQ to replace Elkhead (currently FGQ). Not sure if it will happen for '08 though.

[SkiBachelor]

I honestly can't see this happening, but it happened at The Canyon's with Tombstone, so anything is possible.

[floridaskier]

Could they put in a Thunderhead six pack and send the HSQ back to The Canyons? Seems like a fair trade to me

[SkiBachelor]

Steamboat and The Canyons are not owned by the same company anymore.

[Limelight]

Skier, on Feb 2 2008, 03:22 PM, said:

The tram will likely never happen according to the people I talked with up there this summer. It is way too expensive and Superior Tramway is unable to undertake such a large project. The mountain just does not make enough money to justify a $22 million Doppelmayr tram. They are going to focus in the future on getting Bullion Basin, Kelly's Gap Express, and the Quicksilver replacement on line. That will enable them to eliminate the parking shuttles and have everyone ski to and from the parking lots.

Rex is proposed because it would have to be modified for the tram terminal.

I'd really like to see the Kelly's Gap Express get started soon.

[coskibum]

does thunderhead get that bad of lines? i've never waited too long there.

[skierdude9450]

No, in 10 years of skiing at Steamboat, I don't think I've waited more than two minutes. I think that they should, however replace Sundown or Storm Peak Express if they are going to get a HSS.

[boardski]

skierdude9450, on Feb 4 2008, 10:30 PM, said:

No, in 10 years of skiing at Steamboat, I don't think I've waited more than two minutes. I think that they should, however replace Sundown or Storm Peak Express if they are going to get a HSS.

I'd rather see them open Priest Creek (FGD paralell to Sundown Express) to the public again instead of upgrading Sundown, I would ride Priest Creek every time. It would also be nice for them to add more chairs to Pony Express. Four Points and Bar UE (FGT and FGD respectively) still seem to be a good alternative to Storm Peak when it is busy. The runs at Steamboat especially on the lower half of Storm Peak already get extremely crowded. How about another terrain expansion?

[SkiBachelor]

Is the Pony Express utilized that much? When I was there, it was empty over there and that's where the next terrain expansion is planned.

[boardski]

SkiBachelor, on Feb 5 2008, 12:09 AM, said:

Is the Pony Express utilized that much? When I was there, it was empty over there and that's where the next terrain expansion is planned.

Last weekend (2/2) Pony Express had its maze 3/4 full. Most of the lifts had lines. Sundown and Storm Peak had the longest lines. Even Bar UE had a line (maze 1/2 full).

[liftmech]

I don't think any capacity upgrade is planned for the Pony Express. The area is being kept in a semi-uncrowded state for the time being, and like Cameron I've never seen a line there even on a powder day. I imagine it gets them, just not very often.

If Crystal gets the Park 'n' Ride and Kelly's Gap lifts on line it will definitely be a change in the way that mountain is skied. With the Kelly's Gap lift the north end of the area will see an increase in density, but Rex will probably decrease (which wouldn't be a bad thing as the lines were enormous there 10 years ago).