9 replies to this topic

[floridaskier]

On this older map of Brian Head, there's a lift on Navajo Peak that serves a bunch of blue runs. It was called the Navajo lift

http://skimaps.com/map1653

But on this map from 2001, that lift is gone, and the Stardust lift was renamed Navajo. What happened to the original Navajo lift? Why was it removed (snow cover, maintainance, etc)? It looks like there's still a restaurant and parking lot at the base, and the runs are still shown on the map

http://skimaps.com/map2289

[Emax]

floridaskier, on May 23 2006, 03:03 PM, said:

On this older map of Brian Head, there's a lift on Navajo Peak that serves a bunch of blue runs. It was called the Navajo lift

http://skimaps.com/map1653

But on this map from 2001, that lift is gone, and the Stardust lift was renamed Navajo. What happened to the original Navajo lift? Why was it removed (snow cover, maintainance, etc)? It looks like there's still a restaurant and parking lot at the base, and the runs are still shown on the map

http://skimaps.com/map2289

The "missing lift" you speak of is the original chair #1 - a 1965 Hall that was removed in 1993 due to old age and bad (read: really hard to fix) condition. The facilities at its former base are those of a private party, not associated with the resort. The trails that remain on the map are a marketing mishap that seems to persist.



The plan is to replace lift #2 (Giant Steps) with a detachable next year and to move the old one to the old chair #1 lift line - forming 1/2 of the interconnect system between the two mountains.



Of course none of this is official - my dog just happened to be out that way and related the story to me.

[mtbphoto]

I was there over summer (mountain biking) and you could clearly see that there used to be runs there. Its a pretty cool mountain, and I would like to snowboard there, But I dont think I would make it out there again unless they had a HSQ the current lift is VERY slow!

[Peter]

From the Colorado Skier:
TRIVIA - LOST TERRAIN/LIFTS - Here are some ski areas which have
(usually inexplicably) closed trails and/or lifts.

Heavenly, CA - At one time (early 70's) the Nevada side had the "Wells
Fargo" chairlift, which extended downhill from the current Stagecoach
base area. There were plans to extend another lift down to Hiway 207
where there would be parking and ticket sales. Around 1979 the Wells
Fargo lift was removed and several trails were closed.

Schweitzer Basin, ID - In the 70's, the T1 and T2 T-bars were removed
and several trails were truncated at the "Cat Track" and "Lower Loop
Hole Loop Road". BTW, in 1974 Schweitzer was using GREEN, RED, and
YELLOW trail designators instead of the standard Green, Blue, And
Black.

Brian Head, UT - Around 1991, the "Navajo" chairlift was removed and
eight named trails were designated as a snowcat skiing area. In 1996,
the trails were removed from the trail map. Why?

SilverCreek, CO - Around 1988, they closed and eventually removed the
"Summit" chairlift which extended to the top of East Mountain from the
condos on the left side of the ski area. Now the trails feed back to
the main base.

Sunlight, CO - Removed the "West" chairlift and the Beaver and Deer
Run beginner runs off to the right.

Killington, VT - Closed the top part of Rams Head, moving the lift (a
new HSQ) further down the mountain and shortening the runs. Also
closed the "Entry 4" (Sunrise Mountain) parking lot and base lodge -
moving the lower terminal of the "Northeast Passage" triple chair
further up the mountain.

Magic Mountain, VT - Does not currently operate the old "Timberside"
section (2 lifts, 10 trails) of the mountain.

Cannon Mtn, NH - around 1982, removed the "Banshee" T-bar which
effectively rendered the Banshee practice area unusable.

Loon, NH - Several years ago, Loon cut some new trails as part of a
planned expansion to the west of current terrain. Loon has never
received permission for the expansion, so the trails sit unused.

[skier2]

As far as the Heavenly lift goes, here is an interesting link:
http://www.skiheaven...th/60s_70s.html

[tcs]

I still don't understand why Brian Head closed that mountain. Wouldn't it have been better to install a new lift than just abandoning the terrain?

TCS

[Emax]

"I still don't understand why Brian Head closed that mountain."

I could tell you - but then I'd have to kill you... or find another job.

[SuperRat]

Skier, on May 24 2006, 09:12 PM, said:

Loon, NH - Several years ago, Loon cut some new trails as part of a
planned expansion to the west of current terrain. Loon has never
received permission for the expansion, so the trails sit unused.

Mostly correct but dated information. These trails were cut in 1996 with permission from the USFS. Doppelmayr even manufactured a detachable quad for the development (it was never installed at Loon). Progress was held up when environmental groups filed suits against the USFS concerning the environmetal impact study. The suits were eventually settled and another permit is in place for the completion of the ski development. Two new lifts will be built in 2007 and the now ten year old trails will be cleaned up and one completely new trail will be cut.

[Callao]

Here is an older topo of Brianhead. Are you talking about the two lifts that shoot west of the town? Maybe, because it is a southeast slope in parts, it was difficult to keep snow on it in the day. Maybe?

Attached File(s)

•  BrianHead.JPG (226.04K)
  Number of downloads: 14

[Emax]

Lift circled in red was a decrepit surface lift that was removed prior to 1991.
Lift circled in blue was the equally decrepit chair #1 which was removed in 1993 for safety reasons. It was not worth rebuilding. Since its removal, there have been "anually imminent" plans to replace it with what will be called "the interconnect" - a lift that follows roughly the same liftline but which will provide a crossing of the highway - and connect with another new lift that provides access to the Giant Steps hill. This year, this plan is again "imminent". Both Poma and Doppeltek have been bidding on this project for longer than they care to discuss, I'm sure. Needed easements, local politics and a general sense of greed have put marbles under this project since its inception.

Snow stays on this slope just fine.