Fastest Chairlifts or Gondolas in North America
#1
Posted 15 February 2013 - 08:25 AM
I used to hear the Flyer at Jay Peak was marketed as the fastest in the east but what else is there that compares or goes faster now?
#4
Posted 15 February 2013 - 11:57 AM
The problem about putting lists together like this is that while some lifts were designed to go 1200 f/m plus, most ski areas run them at 800-1000 f/m to save $$$.
For example, the Eagle Peak Accelerator (HSS) at Willamette Pass is designed for 1200 fpm, but only runs at 800 fpm today. It's hard to find resorts that still run them at their designed speed.
#5
Posted 15 February 2013 - 12:32 PM
#7
Posted 15 February 2013 - 01:50 PM
https://www.youtube....TimeQueenOfRome
#9
Posted 16 February 2013 - 05:47 PM
Does anyone know if there are any chairlifts that are actually run at 1,200 fpm? I know the Chile Express at Angel Fire, NM was designed for that, but maybe they don't run it that fast.
Also, the Bridger Gondola at JH must run 1,200, since the trail map says the ride is 7 min., and the lift is 8,700 feet long.
Most Poma gondolas constructed in recent years are designed for 1,200 fpm.
#10
Posted 16 February 2013 - 06:04 PM
http://www.skiwildca...ic-gondola.html
However, its quote of having the only lift where the lift goes from a HSQ in the winter into a scenic gondola in the summer is not true. Big Mtn/Whitefish, MT has the same setup.
#11
Posted 17 February 2013 - 10:12 AM
missouriskier, on 16 February 2013 - 05:47 PM, said:
It usually runs at 800 fpm. 1000 on busy days.
Liftblog.com
#12
Posted 17 February 2013 - 10:19 AM
Peter, on 17 February 2013 - 10:12 AM, said:
I'm not surprised by this. I wish they would just advertise an 11 minute ride, though.
I was especially curious about Bridger since I will ski at JH a couple of days next week.
The tram runs quite a bit faster though, right? Maybe around 2,000 fpm?
#13
Posted 17 February 2013 - 11:51 AM
missouriskier, on 17 February 2013 - 10:19 AM, said:
I'm not surprised by this. I wish they would just advertise an 11 minute ride, though.
I was especially curious about Bridger since I will ski at JH a couple of days next week.
The tram runs quite a bit faster though, right? Maybe around 2,000 fpm?
The tram does run faster, but I'm not sure if they actually run it at 2000.
Jimmi (lastchair_44) and I both work at the gondi. Feel free to stop by and say hello.
Liftblog.com
#14
Posted 17 February 2013 - 04:25 PM
Peter, on 17 February 2013 - 11:51 AM, said:
Jimmi (lastchair_44) and I both work at the gondi. Feel free to stop by and say hello.
Bridger Gondola can run at a top speed of around 1260fpm, but today's skiing public can't handle loading at that speed. We have been running at 800fpm more this season due to the increase in downloading from sight seeing and restaurant traffic. We have to slow to 800fpm when people download so in the event of a grip attach fault, the cabins stop before the break over on tower 28. On powder/busy days we run at 1000 or even 1100. The tram can run up to 2000fpm or 10 m/s but because the cabins automatically slow to 1600fpm or 8 m/s over tower 2 I believe, it usually runs at 8.
#15
Posted 17 February 2013 - 06:54 PM
lastchair_44, on 17 February 2013 - 04:25 PM, said:
Thanks for the information. Bridger must be one of the fastest monocable detachable lifts built then, at 1,260 fpm. Running it at 800 makes sense now with the downloading issue.
One other quick question: How fast would the cabins move in the stations if the lift was running 1,260? Too fast to load, I would think.
I have ridden both the old tram and the new tram, but only in the summer. Needless to say, I'm excited to finally come back in the winter.
#17
Posted 18 February 2013 - 08:09 PM
lastchair_44, on 18 February 2013 - 06:13 PM, said:
We (My dad, mom, sister, and self) are driving to Big Sky and Jackson, with five days of skiing, plus snowmobiling in Yellowstone, and the drive across the plains each way. The plan is to ski Jackson Hole on Thursday, February 28th and Friday, March 1st.
#19
Posted 18 February 2013 - 08:32 PM
SkiBachelor, on 16 February 2013 - 06:04 PM, said:
http://www.skiwildca...ic-gondola.html
However, its quote of having the only lift where the lift goes from a HSQ in the winter into a scenic gondola in the summer is not true. Big Mtn/Whitefish, MT has the same setup.
I do believe this is the case. Usually with Wildcat, they'll run it at top speed, or just plain shut it down due to wind. Since it's also a bit low to the ground you also get the feeling of more speed too. Another lift that does run at it's design speed much if not all of the time is the Slide Brook Express at Sugarbush (designed for 1150 fpm/5.8 m/s) due to it's length. With Slide Brook running at full speed it's a 15 minute ride. Gotta love those 3 or 4, 32 banger compression towers mid line that rattle your teeth out of your head!
Your Northeastern US Representative
#20
Posted 19 February 2013 - 04:09 AM
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