Jump to content


Fastest Chairlifts or Gondolas in North America


83 replies to this topic

#1 sseguin613

    Established User

  • Member
  • 155 Posts:

Posted 15 February 2013 - 08:25 AM

Hello everyone, I was wondering if we could put together a list ranking the fastest chairlifts and gondolas in North America (Canada & USA).

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?
SlopeEdge.net - Dedicated to getting you up close and personal with skiing and adventure

#2 Keymech

    Established User

  • Industry II
  • 181 Posts:

Posted 15 February 2013 - 09:03 AM

I remember being impressed with the speed of the Gondola at Tremblant. I was taken there years ago while attending a Doppelmayr hydrulic seminar. It was only running 4 or 5 ms but was told it could do more. but can't remember what more was.

#3 Razvan

    Established User

  • Industry II
  • 326 Posts:

Posted 15 February 2013 - 09:13 AM

Doppelmayr 8-MGD built in 2007 did 6 m/s with CWA Omega IV gondolas.
Happy emergency braking!

#4 SkiBachelor

    Forum Administrator

  • Administrator II
  • 6,242 Posts:
  • Interests:Hi, I'm Cameron!

Posted 15 February 2013 - 11:57 AM

I thought the HSQ at Wildcat, N.H. was the fastest in the East.

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.
- Cameron

#5 sseguin613

    Established User

  • Member
  • 155 Posts:

Posted 15 February 2013 - 12:32 PM

Yes that's what I meant to ask, which ones are the fastest in actual regular ski operations.
SlopeEdge.net - Dedicated to getting you up close and personal with skiing and adventure

#6 Keymech

    Established User

  • Industry II
  • 181 Posts:

Posted 15 February 2013 - 12:37 PM

Running at a slower speed for us is more about finding the right speed to cut down on slows and stops. Weekdays 5 m/s no problem. Holiday weeks big problem.

#7 DonaldMReif

    Established User

  • Member
  • 1,980 Posts:

Posted 15 February 2013 - 01:50 PM

I believe Breckenridge runs the Mercury and Rocky Mountain SuperChairs at 1,100 fpm. Crested Butte doesn't have crowds as an issue, and all of theirs run around 1,050 fpm (except Red Lady).
YouTube channel for chairlift POV videos and other random stuff:
https://www.youtube....TimeQueenOfRome

#8 Yooper Skier

    Established User

  • Industry II
  • 237 Posts:

Posted 15 February 2013 - 06:54 PM

We ran The Chondola at 5 m/s today for passengers for the first time since I've been at SR. Usually does 4.5, contingent on wind. Was up in the terminal when before I realized it too! Sounded great!

#9 missouriskier

    Established User

  • Member
  • 187 Posts:
  • Interests:Skiing, Operating Construction Equipment, Driving

Posted 16 February 2013 - 05:47 PM

I've been interested in the fastest detachable lifts as well.

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 SkiBachelor

    Forum Administrator

  • Administrator II
  • 6,242 Posts:
  • Interests:Hi, I'm Cameron!

Posted 16 February 2013 - 06:04 PM

Wildcat Express at Wildcat, N.H. runs its HSQ at a 1,100 all the time to my knowledge. It's a marketing tactic for having the fastest lift in New Hampshire.

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.
- Cameron

#11 Peter

    Established User

  • Member
  • 4,314 Posts:

Posted 17 February 2013 - 10:12 AM

View Postmissouriskier, on 16 February 2013 - 05:47 PM, said:

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.


It usually runs at 800 fpm. 1000 on busy days.
- Peter<br />
Liftblog.com

#12 missouriskier

    Established User

  • Member
  • 187 Posts:
  • Interests:Skiing, Operating Construction Equipment, Driving

Posted 17 February 2013 - 10:19 AM

View PostPeter, on 17 February 2013 - 10:12 AM, said:

It usually runs at 800 fpm. 1000 on busy days.


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 Peter

    Established User

  • Member
  • 4,314 Posts:

Posted 17 February 2013 - 11:51 AM

View Postmissouriskier, 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.
- Peter<br />
Liftblog.com

#14 lastchair_44

    Established User

  • Administrator II
  • 1,159 Posts:

Posted 17 February 2013 - 04:25 PM

View PostPeter, on 17 February 2013 - 11:51 AM, said:

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.

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.
-Jimmi

#15 missouriskier

    Established User

  • Member
  • 187 Posts:
  • Interests:Skiing, Operating Construction Equipment, Driving

Posted 17 February 2013 - 06:54 PM

View Postlastchair_44, on 17 February 2013 - 04:25 PM, said:

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.


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.

#16 lastchair_44

    Established User

  • Administrator II
  • 1,159 Posts:

Posted 18 February 2013 - 06:13 PM

I can't give you a solid number,but Poma did speed up the contours when we added 18 cabins in 2006. It is definitely too fast for public. What days are you skiing at Jackson Hole?
-Jimmi

#17 missouriskier

    Established User

  • Member
  • 187 Posts:
  • Interests:Skiing, Operating Construction Equipment, Driving

Posted 18 February 2013 - 08:09 PM

View Postlastchair_44, on 18 February 2013 - 06:13 PM, said:

I can't give you a solid number,but Poma did speed up the contours when we added 18 cabins in 2006. It is definitely too fast for public. What days are you skiing at Jackson Hole?


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.

#18 Aussierob

    Lift Sparky

  • Industry II
  • 1,036 Posts:
  • Interests:Search and Rescue
    Hockey
    Ski Touring
    Geocaching

Posted 18 February 2013 - 08:29 PM

Don't know if the Peak to Peak counts but top speed is 7.5m/s (1500fpm) and we do run at this if it is busy. Usually we run at 5.5 m/s. (1100fpm)
Rob
Ray's Rule for Precision - Measure with a micrometer, mark with chalk, cut with an axe.

#19 Jonni

    Dreams drive the world.

  • Administrator I
  • 849 Posts:

Posted 18 February 2013 - 08:32 PM

View PostSkiBachelor, on 16 February 2013 - 06:04 PM, said:

Wildcat Express at Wildcat, N.H. runs its HSQ at a 1,100 all the time to my knowledge. It's a marketing tactic for having the fastest lift in New Hampshire.

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!
Chairlift n. A transportation system found at most ski areas in which a series of chairs suspended from a cable rapidly conveys anywhere from one to eight skiers from the front of one line to the back of another.

Your Northeastern US Representative

#20 sseguin613

    Established User

  • Member
  • 155 Posts:

Posted 19 February 2013 - 04:09 AM

According to the install stats, the TGV quad at Tremblant runs at 1100fpm. Is this true or just the design spec? It does seem to go quite fast. Anyone have more info?
SlopeEdge.net - Dedicated to getting you up close and personal with skiing and adventure





1 User(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 1 guests, 0 anonymous users