31 replies to this topic

[skierdude9450]

Riverfront Express

It took them two seasons to build this short gondola, but it sure is nice. I still don't see much use for it since the hotel is still not finished, but there were quite a few people riding it. I guess you can use it to get into Avon.

A little bit of technical data:

Number of towers: 9
Number of cabins: 18
Type of cabins: CWA Omega III LWI
Capacity: 1200 p/h (I think)
Speed: 800 fpm
Grip: A-108
Terminal: Uni-G
Motor: Top
Tension: Bottom

Bottom Station:

This post has been edited by skierdude9450: 01 January 2008 - 10:36 PM

[skierdude9450]

Line:

[skierdude9450]

Top Station:

[skierdude9450]

Buckaroo Express

As shocking as it is, yes an 8-passenger detachable gondola did replace Haymedow lift. The new gondola is hardly any quicker, but I'm sure that it is more convenient with extremely low loading speeds where you don't have to worry about loading a chairlift.

Some technical data:

Number of towers: 10
Number of cabins: 26
Type of cabins: CWA Omega III LWI
Capacity: 2400 p/h
Speed: 600 fpm (not quite high-speed )
Grip A-108
Terminal: Uni-G short
Motor: Top
Tension: Bottom

Bottom Station:

[skierdude9450]

Line:

[skierdude9450]

Top Station

[skierdude9450]

Feel free to use any of these pictures for the site!

[Kicking Horse]

The new gondola is hardly any quicker, but I'm sure that it is more convenient with extremely low loading speeds where you don't have to worry about loading a chairlift.


They did not build it to increase cap. They built it to make it easier for the newbies.

Why dont you try being a lift op at the bottom terminal on the old Double. And you will see why I say this!!!!

[floridaskier]

Wouldn't a high speed quad have been better for a beginner lift? It's easy to load a really slow chair, and it teaches beginners how to ride a chairlift. I think gondolas are fine as access lifts, but it's a pain to take your skis off for every lift ride (listen up Snowbasin)

How long is the Riverfront gondola in real life? It looks really short on the map, but not so much in the pictures

[Peter]

I wish Doppelmayr CTEC would abandon the Uni-GS and make the Uni-G domestically. They look so much better. Thanks for the pics!

[Lift Kid]

Skier, on Jan 2 2008, 09:37 PM, said:

I wish Doppelmayr CTEC would abandon the Uni-GS and make the Uni-G domestically. They look so much better. Thanks for the pics!

I totally agree.

[P01itiC4lR3B31]

Skier, on Jan 2 2008, 07:37 PM, said:

I wish Doppelmayr CTEC would abandon the Uni-GS and make the Uni-G domestically. They look so much better. Thanks for the pics!

What is the difference in the Uni-G and Uni-GS terminal designs besides the exterior appearance? Are the uni-gs cheaper?

[Peter]

The Uni-G is made in Europe and is from Doppelmayr/Garaventa. It has to be shipped here and is more expensive because of that. The Uni-GS is designed specifically for North America and is produced in St. Jerome, Quebec. Both use much of the same technical equipment, but they have some variations in design.

[Lift Kid]

The Uni-GS terminal looks pretty much identical to the Uni-G on the inside. The terminal skin is really the only difference. The Uni-GS is cheaper to produce. Uni-G terminals installed new in North America are special orders from Doppelmayr in Europe. Personally, I prefer the Uni-G terminals because they looks nicer. Places, such as Beaver Creek have the money to special order the lifts for look.

[lastchair_44]

Doesn't the UNI-G have the pilz plc control system? The UNI-GS quads I worked on were Allan Bradley.

[Lift Kid]

lastchair_44, on Jan 3 2008, 07:50 AM, said:

Doesn't the UNI-G have the pilz plc control system? The UNI-GS quads I worked on were Allan Bradley.

I think that might be ski area preference. Like Breckenridge has A-B electrical equip/pushbuttons, etc. because of a special request for Leitner-Poma. They preferred them over the Eaton Cutler-Hammer stuff that L-P uses as a standard.

[floridaskier]

What's different about the Uni-GS that makes it special for the North American market? It sounds like they're mechanically the same. Just like the car companies, they took a sharp European design and made it bigger, fatter, and cheaper-looking for the American market. Is there something more expensive about the Uni-G terminal besides that it's shipped from Europe?

[SuperRat]

floridaskier, on Jan 3 2008, 09:36 AM, said:

What's different about the Uni-GS that makes it special for the North American market? It sounds like they're mechanically the same. Just like the car companies, they took a sharp European design and made it bigger, fatter, and cheaper-looking for the American market. Is there something more expensive about the Uni-G terminal besides that it's shipped from Europe?

I think the UNI GS enclosure is cheaper than the UNI G because of the materials used. I think the UNI G is a lighter weight enclosure.

I've also heard Doppelmayr may stop making the UNI GS.

[skierdude9450]

floridaskier, on Jan 2 2008, 07:31 PM, said:

How long is the Riverfront gondola in real life? It looks really short on the map, but not so much in the pictures

Extremely short. It's about a two minute ride.

SuperRat, on Jan 3 2008, 07:56 AM, said:

I've also heard Doppelmayr may stop making the UNI GS.

Really! I hope so.

[SkiLift101]

Whiteface has a Uni-G hs quad as well, i like it much more than the GS