186 replies to this topic

[ski9600]

jswim123, on 29 April 2010 - 12:52 PM, said:

There are substantial rumors running around at Eldora (CO) that they may replace the Cannonball FGD and Cannonball FGT on the front side of the mountain with a HSS, possibly as soon as the summer of 2011.

Wow, that'd be something. I saw Buzzard over here last month and I've skied that mountain. It's ripe for some improvement.

[ski9600]

SkiBachelor, on 01 September 2010 - 09:28 PM, said:

It looks like a new lift may be coming to Big Sky, MT this summer. Boyne has setup a website for help sell its Lone Moose triple chair, which was installed in 1999 and is the former Santiago lift from Keystone, CO.

http://lonemoosetriple.com

I must admit, I find it very surprising that there are no press releases about what is replacing it and even more surprising that Boyne has decided sell the lift rather than relocate it to another one if its resorts, which it typically does.

From the article:

"Yan Baskets"

And there's your reason why no one's interested.

[Peter Pitcher]

I am curious as to what you mean but I must admit that I don't understand what you are trying to say

[liftmech]

I'm guessing he's referring to the fact that the lift's a Yan. You're Airborne Now.... although they're no worse than any other manufacturer.

[DonaldMReif]

Beaver Creek will be receiving a new high speed quad to replace Rose Bowl. (I call it the Rose Bowl Express) That area is one where sometimes it feels like a detachable might be a good idea. Of course, remember the people who thought that the High Noon Express lift at Vail would only cause the Sundown and Sun Up Bowls to get tracked out faster, during the time before construction began? After that lift opened, most reviews were positive (a quad was necessary because of the large number of people who have to ride the lift out of the Sundown and Sun Up Bowls, and also to cut down on the ride time).

This process seems to be repeating itself with the Rose Bowl Express, although it is said that there will not be many trees cut during the construction of the lift, so the environmental impact should be low, and it isn't exactly going to bring more beginners into the Rose Bowl.

[skierdude9450]

It's a good thing they went with that project over a gondola for chair 12.

[DonaldMReif]

skierdude9450, on 31 January 2011 - 07:06 PM, said:

It's a good thing they went with that project over a gondola for chair 12.

Good! I'm glad someone agrees with me! Gondolas are not the best idea for an area meant to be lapped. My dad actually also thinks that it would be a good idea to have a high speed quad in Rose Bowl instead of a slow triple. Although the Rose Bowl Express sounds like it will run only the length of the old lift, it would probably be a good suggestion to extend the lift uphill to a point near the top of the Birds of Prey Express lift, to make it possible to access the Birds of Prey runs without going through Spruce Saddle and down Redtail (as Redtail gets a lot of skier traffic).

[Nor'eastSkier]

Wow, from looking at this topic and the lift install records for 2010, it lookss like L-P is going to do really well this year. So far they already have 3 high speed quads and 2 six packs.

[liftmech]

Rumour has it we might be doing something this summer. Stay tuned.

[liftmech]

We will be replacing the '76 Yan known as H-lift, Hotel, or Highpoint with a Doppelmayr 4-CLD. Surveyors will be around quite soon to shoot the line (it's not going to follow the existing line) and so our busy spring begins.

[DonaldMReif]

liftmech, on 08 February 2011 - 06:27 PM, said:

We will be replacing the '76 Yan known as H-lift, Hotel, or Highpoint with a Doppelmayr 4-CLD. Surveyors will be around quite soon to shoot the line (it's not going to follow the existing line) and so our busy spring begins.

Where might it go? I suppose it might go higher up or near old High Point.

[DonaldMReif]

jswim123, on 17 August 2010 - 12:21 AM, said:

Eldora has now put their new master plan up on their website (http://www.eldora.com). It's 102 pages long, but there's a really nice graphic on the second-to-last page of all the new lifts they're proposing. Basically they're proposing the following:
- 2 new carpets to replace Tenderfoot I & II handle tows.
- 4 new detachable six-packs. One will replace the Challenge FGT and Cannonball FGD, one will replace the Corona FGQ, and the two others will be new installations in the Indian Peaks and Corona area.
- 2 new fixed grip quad lifts. One will run from the base area to the saddle between the base and the Indian Peaks/Corona area to allow for beginner skiing and access to the IP/Corona area when the Challenge lift goes down on wind hold. The other will run to the top of the Challenge lift from below the Jolly Jug trail-ish.

From what I understand through word-of-mouth among employees, the Challenge/Cannonball replacement is likely to happen first, possibly next summer. Hopefully that'll end up happening!

Six packs seems like they want their terrain to be overutilized. I could see them putting in a high speed six pack only to replace Challenge and Cannonball. With regards to Indian Peaks and Corona, I think those could simply just be converted into high speed quads.

[LiftTech]

DonaldMReif, on 08 February 2011 - 07:54 PM, said:

Six packs seems like they want their terrain to be overutilized. I could see them putting in a high speed six pack only to replace Challenge and Cannonball. With regards to Indian Peaks and Corona, I think those could simply just be converted into high speed quads.

Six packs don’t necessarily mean higher capacity, it just means more people in the chair

[liftmech]

....and the air.

[Peter]

From Sugarloaf's Website:

Quote

Regarding a Spillway replacement - As stated in the Sugarloaf 2020 plan, Spillway is the first priority in our lift replacement strategy, and this has not changed due to the Spillway accident or the ensuing work to get Spillway back up and running. The final determination on whether or not this lift will be installed this summer has not been made at this time, though we do expect to know in the next several weeks. The resources that have been devoted to getting Spillway back in operation will in no way affect this decision. As soon as we have any new information on this, rest assured we will share it with you.

[Peter]

New Doppelmayr quad at Sugarloaf confirmed for next season.

Quote

Sugarloaf announces installation of new chairlift, part of $4.3 million in offseason upgrades
Wednesday, February 23, 2011

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New lift to replace Spillway; additional lift and terrain upgrades scheduled

CARRABASSETT VALLEY, Maine (Feb 23, 2011) –Sugarloaf officials today announced the installation of a new chairlift for the 2011-2012 ski season to replace the existing Spillway chairlifts. The new lift represents the next step in the Sugarloaf 2020 plan, and will be the centerpiece of $4.3 million in offseason upgrades at Sugarloaf, which will include additional lift-upgrades, and the continued expansion of new terrain on Burnt Mountain.

The Sugarloaf 2020 Ten-Year Road Map was announced by Sugarloaf last summer and represents a comprehensive ten-year vision for development at the resort. The first phase of the 2020 plan, the 270-acre Brackett Basin development on Burnt Mountain, opened this season.

The new lift will be a state-of-the-art, fixed-grip, quad chairlift built by Dopplemayr, and will be installed in the same path as the existing Spillway East lift. The overall cost for the new lift will be roughly $3 million.

“When we announced the Sugarloaf 2020 plan last summer we said that a new Spillway was the top priority in our lift replacement strategy,” said John Diller, Sugarloaf General Manager. “The new lift will provide greater uphill capacity for our guests, and its design will ensure reliable access to some of Sugarloaf’s most unique and storied terrain.”

The new quad will feature a conveyor loading system, which will improve the lift loading experience, reduce lift stoppage time, and allow the lift to run at speeds of up to 500 feet per minute, making it the fastest fixed-grip lift on the market. The lift will travel 3,746 feet, rise 1,457 vertical feet, feature a total of 16 towers, and will be powered by a 400 horsepower motor. An additional 400 horsepower Cummins Diesel engine will serve as a backup. (Click here for photos of similar model lift as seen at Bridger Bowl, schematic drawings of proposed terminal, and to download video of a conveyor loading system.)

The new lift has been designed to be as wind-resistant as possible. It will travel at a lower height, and will be installed closer to the treeline to reduce its exposure to wind. The specially designed chairs will be heavier than a standard four-person chair, making them more wind-resistant and less susceptible to chair-swing.

The presence of this new, high-capacity quad in the center of the mountain is expected to rebalance the flow of uphill traffic on the mountain, thus reducing pressure on other lifts and decreasing lift lines across the mountain during peak times.

Deconstruction of the existing Spillway lift is scheduled to begin in May, following the completion of the current ski season. Construction of the new lift is scheduled to be completed by mid-November.

In addition to the new lift installation, Sugarloaf has also allocated $150,000 to upgrade the drive systems in the Sugarloaf SuperQuad. The upgrades, which will convert the systems from analog to digital, will result in more reliable and consistent operation, with fewer stoppages.

Sugarloaf will also continue work on its terrain expansion to Burnt Mountain this summer, with an additional 135 acres of glades scheduled to open for 2011-2012. Phase Two of the Burnt Mountain expansion will provide access to a second above-treeline area at the summit of Burnt, and will open new lines on some of the steepest and most challenging terrain at Sugarloaf. The new terrain will bring Sugarloaf’s total acreage to 1056 developed, skiable acres, the most in the East.

“With the Sugarloaf 2020 plan, we’re confident that we have a good vision for development, that is uniquely tailored to fit the true DNA of Sugarloaf,” said Stephen Kircher, President of Boyne’s Eastern Operations. “This year skiers and riders saw the plan come to life, and we’re excited to be able to take this important next step.”

[LiftTech]

It's going down, from an email


Mount Snow Makes Big Statement with New Lift

WEST DOVER (March 5, 2011) – Mount Snow has announced that it has accepted a bid to replace the Summit Local triple chair lift with a new Leitner Poma high-speed detachable six-passenger bubble chairlift. The “six pack” chairlift will be the first of its kind on the East coast and demonstrates Mount Snow’s commitment to providing the best experience possible for their guests.

“Our goal at Mount Snow is to provide the best possible product for our guests. We are continuously making upgrades to our infrastructure to ensure a quality experience for our guests. We feel that installing this state-of-the-art chairlift in order to increase our high speed capacity out of the main base area is in line with this commitment,” said Jesse Boyd, VP of Operations for Peak Resorts.

The six pack lift will have a ride time of just seven minutes, reducing the ride time of the current lift by nearly half. The new lift’s bubble chairs look like conventional chairlifts but have a plastic shield, or bubble, that encloses the chair. Bubble chairs provide shelter from inclement weather and the convenience of ski-on, ski-off loading and unloading. Unlike a gondola, skiers and snowboarders keep their equipment on, get on the chair as they would a conventional chairlift, and then pull the bubble down around them.

“Let’s face it, Vermont has its cold days. After review of several lifts, I believe this six pack lift best meets our needs. Its bubble chairs will provide protection on cold days without slowing down the loading process” said Mount Snow General Manager Kelly Pawlak.

With this lift, Mount Snow will have three high-speed lifts in its main base area with a total uphill capacity of 8100 skiers per hour. This will greatly increase the time Mount Snow guests spend on the ski trails instead of waiting in lift lines.

Every night the chairs will be run off the line and stored in a heated storage barn, which has its advantages. First, the barn’s steady temperature helps to prevent fogging and ice build up on the bubbles. Second, should the mountain receive icing overnight, the lift line can be quickly de-iced, and the lift will be able to operate as soon as the chairs are deployed.

Along with the new six pack lift comes upgrades to the Grand Summit Express high speed quad. The upgrades include enclosing the terminal at the base of the mountain to shield guests from weather elements and replacing all 172 of the chairs with new chairs that feature safety bars and footrests.

With the purchase of the new six pack lift, Peak Resorts will have invested over $18 million in capital improvements to Mount Snow, including the installation of state-of-the-art snowmaking technology featuring 254 fan guns.

****

Peak Resorts is a leader and innovator in the ski industry committed to building an enhanced resort experience. It currently owns and operates twelve U.S. ski resorts including: Attitash (NH), Boston Mills (OH), Brandywine (OH), Crotched Mountain (NH), Hidden Valley (MO), Jack Frost (PA), Big Boulder (PA), Mad River Mountain (OH), Mount Snow (VT), Paoli Peaks (IN), Snow Creek (MO) and Wildcat (NH). Peak Resorts is defined by the passion, determination, and commitment of each of its resorts to family recreation, improvements in technology, and service. For further information, please visit www.peakresorts.com

[Nor'eastSkier]

Is Sunbrook not going to be upgraded then?

[jaytrem]

Nor'eastSkier, on 05 March 2011 - 01:54 PM, said:

Is Sunbrook not going to be upgraded then?

Nope, maybe next year. Perhaps they want to finish the big snowmaking project first. That way the other trails over there would be open more often. At least they're also fixing up the Grand Summit lift a bit.

[Marc Shepherd]

LiftTech, on 05 March 2011 - 05:57 AM, said:

Every night the chairs will be run off the line and stored in a heated storage barn, which has its advantages. First, the barn's steady temperature helps to prevent fogging and ice build up on the bubbles. Second, should the mountain receive icing overnight, the lift line can be quickly de-iced, and the lift will be able to operate as soon as the chairs are deployed.

Is this unique in the Eastern U.S.? I am aware of gondolas where the carriers can be taken off the line, but not chairlifts.