New Lifts for 2013
sseguin613
05 Oct 2012
Some of the lifts, notably the Atomic Express lift at Mont Saint-Sauveur, Quebec are getting on in age. It was installed in 1985 as a Quad detachable Doppelmayr. Being the main lift for the mountain, how much longer could that last? I heard rumors that they were considering replacing it in the future. Any idea as to when? (It's 27-28 years old now).
Aussierob
06 Oct 2012
We have three '87 Dopp detachables and as long as we can get parts we'll be keeping them. The only other reason to change would be if we wanted a different type of lift in that location.
teachme
06 Oct 2012
Ausierob, I seem to have asked this before but a quick search did not find it. When does it become cheaper (cost and reliability cost) to replace a HSQ lift than fix it? Wiz and Solar especially have many hours.
liftmech
07 Oct 2012
Same with us and our old detaches. I'm in the midst of a major overhaul of the grips, after which they'll be good for another twenty or so years. Poma supports all their lifts; older parts might take longer but we can still get them (I'm waiting on some large parts on the slow boat from France, for example).
As for new versus continued reconditioning, I'm sure one could draw up a comparison if one had access to parts pricing and general labour costs (which I don't for our area, at least).
As for new versus continued reconditioning, I'm sure one could draw up a comparison if one had access to parts pricing and general labour costs (which I don't for our area, at least).
Aussierob
07 Oct 2012
I'm no financial expert but it seems companies are much happier to pay larger operating and capital maintenance costs than spending capital on new equipment. We have engineering studies that indicate the steel structures are safe from fatigue, and so far we have been able to replace parts without too much difficulty. For example we just put a new gearbox in solar for the best bit of $300k. Two years ago we put in a new drive for $100k. I guess the math is a couple of hundred thousand per year is more acceptable than the five million one time it would cost to replace it. I think as long as we can get parts, or upgrade to newer components, we will have these lifts forever.
Marc Shepherd
15 Oct 2012
Aussierob, on 07 October 2012 - 10:51 PM, said:
I'm no financial expert but it seems companies are much happier to pay larger operating and capital maintenance costs than spending capital on new equipment. We have engineering studies that indicate the steel structures are safe from fatigue, and so far we have been able to replace parts without too much difficulty. For example we just put a new gearbox in solar for the best bit of $300k. Two years ago we put in a new drive for $100k. I guess the math is a couple of hundred thousand per year is more acceptable than the five million one time it would cost to replace it. I think as long as we can get parts, or upgrade to newer components, we will have these lifts forever.
It's not so much that companies are "happier" to pay higher maintenance costs. It's just that there usually isn't a good reason to replace a lift, if it's still safe and replacement parts are available. Most replacement lifts offer some sort of service improvement, such as the trade of a fixed-grip for a detachable.
JSteigs
22 Oct 2012
I don't really have much information, but I have been hearing about a platter lift at the top of Aspen Highands; for patrol access only though.
Peter
01 Dec 2012
BRECKENRIDGE, Colo.—The U.S. Forest Service has rejected two appeals over its approval of the Peak 6 expansion at Breckenridge Ski Resort.
The resort's Peak 6 project would add nearly 550 acres of skiable terrain, two lifts, a restroom facility and warming hut.
Some opponents say cutting trees to make more ski runs could hurt Canada lynx, while some residents have objected because they fear overcrowding in town.
The plan has the support of 45 individuals and environmental groups.
Vail Resorts Inc., which operates the resort, says it expects to have the new terrain ready for the 2013-2014 ski season.
The resort's Peak 6 project would add nearly 550 acres of skiable terrain, two lifts, a restroom facility and warming hut.
Some opponents say cutting trees to make more ski runs could hurt Canada lynx, while some residents have objected because they fear overcrowding in town.
The plan has the support of 45 individuals and environmental groups.
Vail Resorts Inc., which operates the resort, says it expects to have the new terrain ready for the 2013-2014 ski season.
boardski
01 Dec 2012
Peter, on 01 December 2012 - 02:04 PM, said:
BRECKENRIDGE, Colo.—The U.S. Forest Service has rejected two appeals over its approval of the Peak 6 expansion at Breckenridge Ski Resort.
The resort's Peak 6 project would add nearly 550 acres of skiable terrain, two lifts, a restroom facility and warming hut.
Some opponents say cutting trees to make more ski runs could hurt Canada lynx, while some residents have objected because they fear overcrowding in town.
The plan has the support of 45 individuals and environmental groups.
Vail Resorts Inc., which operates the resort, says it expects to have the new terrain ready for the 2013-2014 ski season.
The resort's Peak 6 project would add nearly 550 acres of skiable terrain, two lifts, a restroom facility and warming hut.
Some opponents say cutting trees to make more ski runs could hurt Canada lynx, while some residents have objected because they fear overcrowding in town.
The plan has the support of 45 individuals and environmental groups.
Vail Resorts Inc., which operates the resort, says it expects to have the new terrain ready for the 2013-2014 ski season.
Sounds good, hopefully our dismal season will improve so it will not put a damper (no pun intended) on the plans. All these expansion plans and "master plans" sound great but without snow, will not be worth much.
This post has been edited by boardski: 01 December 2012 - 06:26 PM
boardski
01 Dec 2012
JSteigs, on 22 October 2012 - 07:40 PM, said:
I don't really have much information, but I have been hearing about a platter lift at the top of Aspen Highands; for patrol access only though.
I wonder how long it will be until it is available to the public also. Probably not a bad idea. Depending on which line one is skiing, that can be quite the hike on very rugged terrain. I wonder if the lift would go where the snowcat runs now or if it would go all the way to the top. The latter would like some excavating due to the terrain up there. Interesting though.
Andy1962
05 Dec 2012
In 2011 Devil's Glen Ski Club in Glen Huron Ont announced the replacement of the Heavenly double chair with a Leitner Poma Quad chair. This was done over the past summer, 2012.
This month the Club announced to its members that the Lucifer Quad, a 1991 Borvig Quad (previously scheduled for relocation in the summer of 2013 to "Pod D" ) will instead be sold. The Hallelujah T bar (the Pod D lift ) will be removed in the summer of 2013, and a brand new chairlift (capacity not announced yet) will be built in its place. Wow all lifts replaced in less than ten years.
This month the Club announced to its members that the Lucifer Quad, a 1991 Borvig Quad (previously scheduled for relocation in the summer of 2013 to "Pod D" ) will instead be sold. The Hallelujah T bar (the Pod D lift ) will be removed in the summer of 2013, and a brand new chairlift (capacity not announced yet) will be built in its place. Wow all lifts replaced in less than ten years.
jaytrem
19 Dec 2012
DonaldMReif
28 Dec 2012
It's a good thing that they'll make it possible to access the Kensho SuperChair from the Independence SuperChair (albeit via a catwalk), because I'm sure the line ups at Zendo will be pretty long, as it will be taking people coming from the Rocky Mountain SuperChair, Colorado SuperChair, and Peak 8 SuperConnect.
This post has been edited by DonaldMReif: 21 November 2013 - 09:06 AM
This post has been edited by DonaldMReif: 21 November 2013 - 09:06 AM
Peter
10 Jan 2013
Looks like Doppelmayr is building an 8 passenger sightseeing gondola in Squamish, BC. It's called the Sea to Sky Gondola.
Project website: http://seatoskygondola.com/
http://m.squamishchi...late=JQMArticle
March gondola construction start targeted
The creators of a $25 million tourist gondola to a ridge between Stawamus Chief and Shannon Falls provincial parks are hoping for a March construction start date on the project, with a planned opening in May 2014.
David Greenfield, one of the two main principles of Sea to Sky Gondola Corp., on Friday (Jan. 4) said the gondola proponents are busy completing design work and getting set to apply for building permits from both the District of Squamish (DOS) and Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD).
The gondola, which initially is to include 20, eight-passenger cabins along the cable tramway that will top out at 2,700 feet above sea level, is to be built by Swiss-Austrian consortium Doppelmayr Garaventa, the world's largest manufacturer of aerial tramways, Greenfield said.
“We're excited to finally get this thing started,” said Greenfield, who along with business partner Trevor Dunn first presented the idea to the community in July 2011.
The proposal then went through zoning approval from the DOS for the base area and the SLRD for the top station and trail network. A change to the Parks Act was required to remove a few acres from Stawamus Chief Provincial Park for the tramway pass-through, and issuance of a Park Use Permit to allow for construction.
“We're getting all the I's dotted and T's crossed as far as our park permit goes,” Greenfield said.
“I don't think anyone's actually done this before. We've got to do tree surveys to see how we need to do things as far as whether there are significant trees that have to be cut,” he said, adding that the level of detail required for that work is extensive.
“I think the fact that we're putting this through a protected area means that we're being held to a new and high standard — which is fine.”
Greenfield said the actual construction start date depends to a large degree on the weather, but the proponents are hoping to get going sometime in March. Because there's likely to be snow on the upper slopes for the next few months, actual construction will begin with the base area, with work on the top station beginning as soon as conditions allow, he said.
Once the gondola opens, the proponents have projected it will attract around 300,000 visitors per year and employ some 30 people. The proponents initially targeted late summer 2013 as a hoped-for opening date for the gondola, but pushing it back to spring 2014 “gives us an opportunity to do a bit more pre-marketing and to attract that visitation,” Greenfield said.
He estimated the project will cost around $25 million to build. That compares to $51 million for construction of Whistler's record-setting Peak 2 Peak Gondola, which opened in December 2008.
The choice of Doppelmayr Garaventa for the actual lift system was an obvious one, Greenfield said.
“They're a big company but it's still more or less family run,” he said. “They've made quite a name for themselves and there's not many places in the world that don't have at least one Doppelmayr lift.”
The tramway will include 20 passenger cabins initially with the option of increasing the number of cabins if and when the demand increases, Greenfield said.
“We're designing it to accommodate more as the business ramps up,” he said. “Because it's a detachable lift, you can actually add cars to increase capacity when you need to.”
The company is planning a by-invitation-only celebration on Thursday, Jan. 24, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Cornerstone Building, No. 401, 37989 Cleveland Ave. Those who have received emailed invitations and wish to attend are asked to RSVP by Jan. 18 to info@seatoskygondola.com.
Project website: http://seatoskygondola.com/
http://m.squamishchi...late=JQMArticle
March gondola construction start targeted
The creators of a $25 million tourist gondola to a ridge between Stawamus Chief and Shannon Falls provincial parks are hoping for a March construction start date on the project, with a planned opening in May 2014.
David Greenfield, one of the two main principles of Sea to Sky Gondola Corp., on Friday (Jan. 4) said the gondola proponents are busy completing design work and getting set to apply for building permits from both the District of Squamish (DOS) and Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD).
The gondola, which initially is to include 20, eight-passenger cabins along the cable tramway that will top out at 2,700 feet above sea level, is to be built by Swiss-Austrian consortium Doppelmayr Garaventa, the world's largest manufacturer of aerial tramways, Greenfield said.
“We're excited to finally get this thing started,” said Greenfield, who along with business partner Trevor Dunn first presented the idea to the community in July 2011.
The proposal then went through zoning approval from the DOS for the base area and the SLRD for the top station and trail network. A change to the Parks Act was required to remove a few acres from Stawamus Chief Provincial Park for the tramway pass-through, and issuance of a Park Use Permit to allow for construction.
“We're getting all the I's dotted and T's crossed as far as our park permit goes,” Greenfield said.
“I don't think anyone's actually done this before. We've got to do tree surveys to see how we need to do things as far as whether there are significant trees that have to be cut,” he said, adding that the level of detail required for that work is extensive.
“I think the fact that we're putting this through a protected area means that we're being held to a new and high standard — which is fine.”
Greenfield said the actual construction start date depends to a large degree on the weather, but the proponents are hoping to get going sometime in March. Because there's likely to be snow on the upper slopes for the next few months, actual construction will begin with the base area, with work on the top station beginning as soon as conditions allow, he said.
Once the gondola opens, the proponents have projected it will attract around 300,000 visitors per year and employ some 30 people. The proponents initially targeted late summer 2013 as a hoped-for opening date for the gondola, but pushing it back to spring 2014 “gives us an opportunity to do a bit more pre-marketing and to attract that visitation,” Greenfield said.
He estimated the project will cost around $25 million to build. That compares to $51 million for construction of Whistler's record-setting Peak 2 Peak Gondola, which opened in December 2008.
The choice of Doppelmayr Garaventa for the actual lift system was an obvious one, Greenfield said.
“They're a big company but it's still more or less family run,” he said. “They've made quite a name for themselves and there's not many places in the world that don't have at least one Doppelmayr lift.”
The tramway will include 20 passenger cabins initially with the option of increasing the number of cabins if and when the demand increases, Greenfield said.
“We're designing it to accommodate more as the business ramps up,” he said. “Because it's a detachable lift, you can actually add cars to increase capacity when you need to.”
The company is planning a by-invitation-only celebration on Thursday, Jan. 24, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Cornerstone Building, No. 401, 37989 Cleveland Ave. Those who have received emailed invitations and wish to attend are asked to RSVP by Jan. 18 to info@seatoskygondola.com.
Peter
18 Jan 2013
Big news from Whistler Blackcomb. A Doppelmayr six pack will replace the Harmony high speed quad. Old Harmony goes to a new alignment in the Crystal zone on Blackcomb. Unclear if the old Crystal chair is staying or going.
http://www.whistlerb...ifts/index.aspx
http://www.whistlerb...ifts/index.aspx
just giv'r
18 Jan 2013
Peter, on 18 January 2013 - 05:16 PM, said:
Big news from Whistler Blackcomb. A Doppelmayr six pack will replace the Harmony high speed quad. Old Harmony goes to a new alignment in the Crystal zone on Blackcomb. Unclear if the old Crystal chair is staying or going.
http://www.whistlerb...ifts/index.aspx
http://www.whistlerb...ifts/index.aspx
Most likely the old Crystal will go up for sale as components.
trooper1556
23 Jan 2013
Looking at old ski maps & especially google earth, there appears to be a lift line that used to run the same alignment & legnth as the new crystal chair - http://skimap.org/da.../1358555624.jpg Looking at all the older maps on skimap.org i didnt see anything? anybody know about this? also the old crystal chair will be be removed per: http://skimap.org/da.../1317504769.pdf
Peter
25 Jan 2013
SkyTrac is building another lift at Crystal Mountain, MI in 2013 per their ad in SAM.
