26 replies to this topic

[boardski]

Lets put in a lift to the right of lift 8 (Looking up the hill) and a lift to the left of lift 3 and further up the mountain than the current lift 3 goes, then get lift 5 up and running again. Then how about a couple of T-Bars to serve extreme terrain above lift 4 and in-between 2 & 6. Of course they would need the people to support all that and right now there is no place for them to park their cars. Would Powder Corp or Aspen Ski Co ever consider acquring a place like Loveland? I noticed Aspen Highlands has done a good job of opening their steep terrain also.

[Kicking Horse]

You have to remember that other areas opening the steeper terrain is solely based on snow that falls from Mother Nature, you should know that! So just because highlands or Copper is able to open the steep stuff does not mean that the snow is good enough / safe enough at loveland to open it...

[liftmech]

It does, actually.... ours is more based on 'do we have the manpower' than 'do we have the snow'. Given enough explosives and skier traffic, the slope will be fairly safe. Notice I didn't say 'completely' safe, though, ask the boys at the Basin about that. Loveland typically gets more snow than Copper, it mainly depends on the exposure of the slope to the wind up there.

[DonaldMReif]

boardski, on 12 February 2012 - 07:47 PM, said:

Anyhow, regarding Chair 4- nice lift, I have yet to ride it to the top though since it is mandatory unloading at midway. Hopefully it will be open to the top when I am there on Thursday. It is a real hassle traversing to lift 8 on a board when unloading at midway. Looks like fewer towers on the new chair. I'm sure designs have changed quite a bit over the past 46 years though.

I assume that travelling to #8 is easier if you can get off at the top. Given the new snow they've received, they should have the new upper unload open by now.

[boardski]

DonaldMReif, on 16 February 2012 - 04:57 PM, said:

I assume that travelling to #8 is easier if you can get off at the top. Given the new snow they've received, they should have the new upper unload open by now.

The top is indeed open. They have done some regrading so the unload ramp is less than 45 degree incline now and the upper bullwheel is located immediately next to the unload ramp. No more raised return and counterweight unit to dodge when unloading (that design seems to be more of a 60s and early 70s thing anyway). Loveland actually had some decent snow today and patrol was working on terrain served by lift 9 although not quite open to the public yet.

[ewillso7]

DonaldMReif, on 11 February 2012 - 01:38 PM, said:

I think it would make more sense to replace Chair 5 with a gondola, given those things can more easily take people both ways. That would definitely be a big boost in visitors right there, and maybe allow for elimination of the shuttle busses between the areas. Now this is just a hypothetical possibility. Other hypothetical ideas in my mind for Loveland would be to upgrade Chairs 2, 8, and 9 to high speed quads, or at the very least, add safety bars to all of the lifts (the latter sounds more likely) to make those of us who like the comfort of footrests (like me ) more willing to go there. Chair 2 I suggest because it is a long lift, and the same principle applies for Chairs 8 and 9, though I haven't measured those yet with Google Earth. 4 can stay a triple for now.

Now remember, this is all hypothetical. It probably won't happen, but if it did happen, Loveland's appeal might increase. Besides, some of the lifts are showing their age.

First and foremost , Loveland isn't going to dump a ton in cash into a gondola. I'd be shocked if they even got a HSQ. I think the issues with visitors isn't because of lifts, which are appropriately placed, it's just the weather on the Divide. It's the highest and most exposed ski area in Colorado. That scares alot people off.

If Loveland did anything, I'd push for expansion to the east of Chair 8. There's a HUGE bowl on the other side of that ridge that funnels back down to I70 that you could have alot of fun in.

[boardski]

I have enjoyed the new #4 and I think it is actually the same length as the old #4, almost the identical line, the ramp at the top terminal has been graded significantly and is set up in a more conventional way uniform with the other L-P fixed grip chairs. The steep ramp and the chair continuing to a raised return appears to be more of a 60s thing. Now that everything is open, I have had some good days there. Hopefully this warm weather will go away soon and we can have a few more good weeks before its time to get out the mountain bike again. I agree, I don't forsee Loveland with any gondolas. A gondola would barely be able to run with all the wind they get up there and that would load the trails up with way too many people and that is only assuming all of the additional people found a place to park since the lots fill up so quickly. I agree about the bowl on the other side of #8, the only thing is lack of snow. This season there would be no way to return to #8 from that bowl due to no snow due to being blown off and general lack in the first place. Loveland will likely remain the same for several more seasons until lifts 1 or 6 wear out or if they do decide to upgrade #2.