12 replies to this topic

[joshua segal]

What was the first double-chair in New England?

The limits that I now have are 1946 (first double-chair anywhere and it was Mt. Spokane, WA by Riblet) and Mount Snow in 1953-4 season?

Was there another double chair in New England between 1946 and 1953?

[SkiMadRiver]

I know Bromley had one that was older than the Mt. Snow chair, Bromley's Number 1, as it was called was either a '50 or a '51. It was a Riblet Center-Pole double and it ran for nearly 50 years until it was replaced by a Dopp HSQ. I know its the oldest double chair i've ever ridden, and the second oldest chair i've ever been on, the oldest being the single at Mad River Glen.

I may be wrong, but I think Stowe had a double even older than the Bromley one, not 100% sure on that though.

joshua segal, on Jul 2 2007, 05:59 AM, said:

What was the first double-chair in New England?

The limits that I now have are 1946 (first double-chair anywhere and it was Mt. Spokane, WA by Riblet) and Mount Snow in 1953-4 season?

Was there another double chair in New England between 1946 and 1953?

[joshua segal]

SkiMadRiver, on Jul 2 2007, 11:45 AM, said:

I know Bromley had one that was older than the Mt. Snow chair, Bromley's Number 1, as it was called was either a '50 or a '51. It was a Riblet Center-Pole double and it ran for nearly 50 years until it was replaced by a Dopp HSQ. I know its the oldest double chair i've ever ridden, and the second oldest chair i've ever been on, the oldest being the single at Mad River Glen.

I may be wrong, but I think Stowe had a double even older than the Bromley one, not 100% sure on that though.

Thanks for the reply. As far as I know, the first double at Stowe was the Spruce Peak Double (1954) just replaced this year.

According to the NH Ski Museum, the first chairlift in the east was the Single Chair at Gunstock in 1938 (another source says 1937). I actually got to ride it in 1974.

The original tram at Cannon Mountain and the first of Cranmore "Skimobiles" both opened in 1938.

First Gondola, 1958 at Wildcat.

But nailing down the first double chair has been a challenge.

[SkiMadRiver]

I think i may be mistaken about Bromley, Chairlift.org says the old Number 1 chair was a 1958, but I swear its older than that, I remember thinking, geez, this chair is older than my parents, which would make it a 1951 or older chair, I may be wrong though

[mikest2]

This is from Grouse Mountain's website:

The World's First Double Chairlift
In 1949, the world's first double chairlift was built, replacing a two to three hour hike from the skiers' bus stop at the base of the mountain. This confirmed Grouse Mountain's reputation as a leader. The first chairlift for "The Cut" was built in 1951, and for the first time, skiers and visitors could reach the mountain in a two-stage trip. The Peak of Vancouver soon became a hub for the international jet set, drawn to dining and dancing in the original Grouse Mountain Chalet.

http://www.grousemou..._oursto_his.cfm

[SkiBachelor]

mikest2, on Jul 2 2007, 09:17 PM, said:

This is from Grouse Mountain's website:

The World's First Double Chairlift
In 1949, the world's first double chairlift was built, replacing a two to three hour hike from the skiers' bus stop at the base of the mountain. This confirmed Grouse Mountain's reputation as a leader. The first chairlift for "The Cut" was built in 1951, and for the first time, skiers and visitors could reach the mountain in a two-stage trip. The Peak of Vancouver soon became a hub for the international jet set, drawn to dining and dancing in the original Grouse Mountain Chalet.

http://www.grousemou..._oursto_his.cfm

The first double was actually at Hoodoo, Oregon, built in 1947 I believe.

[poloxskier]

And yet Berthoud Pass also claimed to have the first double in the country.

[joshua segal]

poloxskier, on Jul 3 2007, 12:34 AM, said:

And yet Berthoud Pass also claimed to have the first double in the country.

Bromley's #1 was a 1958 riblet double. This statement is based on a certificate of ownership from someone who purchased a chair when Bromley apparently sold the chairs from that lift.

Grouse Mt's claim to 1949 might be first for Canada, but according to earlier posting, 1946 at Mt. Spokane was the first double in the United States..

What year does Berthoud claim for their chair.

But having said all that, the original question and the topic of this thread is: What was the first double chair in New England and as of now the answer still appears to be Mt. Snow, 1953-4.

[Snoqualmie guy]

Wasen't the first double in Washington at Snoqualmie Summit, not Mt. Spokane?

[SkiBachelor]

According to Trails.com, Hoodoo installed its double in 1942.

http://www.trails.co...ilid=XFA027-037

[poloxskier]

Berthoud's chair was a 1947 Herron-Huntington.

[skibum603]

Mt Sunapee has a Robling double built in 1961 that is still in operation.

[Lift Dinosaur]

skibum603, on Jul 5 2007, 01:18 PM, said:

Mt Sunapee has a Robling double built in 1961 that is still in operation.

How is it trying to find spare parts?

Dino