23 replies to this topic

[Peter]

There are some pictures and videos of the new lift going in at Welch Village here: http://www.welchvill...bowl-update.cfm

Interesting to note that in the 2nd video, the owner of Welch Village notes that this lift, built by Doppelmayr CTEC is the "first of its kind in the world and we're excited to have it here." There aren't really any pictures of the terminals yet, but could it be a new model? The leg of the upper terminal can be seen in the 2nd video and it looks nothing like that of the Uni-Star. Anyone know anything about this?

[skier691]

I beileve the new model is called the 'Echo'. Mr. Nelson at Welch and a few other MSAA owners/members, formed a group asking the manufactures to come up with an affordable lift option for the midwest customer. There are a lot of older lifts here, many of the owners are looking at upgrading, and can't afford a $ 1 million fixed grip lift. They asked to create a cheaper, cookie cutter, basic, no-frills lift, to fit in the under 500 ft vert and 2000' long cat.

I visited Welch recently, and from what I saw, It looked like the bottom terminal was going to be placed on a cement mast, as opposed to a steel one.

This post has been edited by skier691: 06 November 2008 - 08:51 PM

[Peter]

skier691, on Nov 6 2008, 09:49 PM, said:

I beileve the new model is called the 'Echo'. Mr. Nelson at Welch and a few other MSAA owners/members, formed a group asking the manufactures to come up with an affordable lift option for the midwest customer. There are a lot of older lifts here, many of the owners are looking at upgrading, and can't afford a $ 1 million fixed grip lift. They asked to create a cheaper, cookie cutter, basic, no-frills lift, to fit in the under 500 ft vert and 2000' long cat.

I visited Welch recently, and from what I saw, It looked like the bottom terminal was going to be placed on a cement mast, as opposed to a steel one.

Interesting, Thanks for the info. I can't believe we didn't hear about this earlier. I never really thought of the Sprint model fixed grips as having a lot of frills, it will be interesting to see how this is different. The towers look to be the same as usual.

[iceberg210]

You know this is exactly the type of lift I've thought there's been a market for for the past couple of years. There are tons of resorts out there that can't afford to maintain their old lifts, or want to do a slight upgrade, double to triple, double to quad etc. The issue is with these resorts is that they can't afford a fancy new high speed lift either and it seemed to me that Poma and Doppelmayr are more interested in building those then FG's. Hopefully this new bare bones design will be reliable, affordable, and will allow many resorts who thought they couldn't have new lifts to be able to modernize a bit. (of course I'll still be mildly depressed about the whole thing as I'm retro and all and I love the old lifts, but hey new lifts are still good!)

I do wonder the same thing as to what they are simplifying compared to the usual fixed grip. I guess we'll just have to wait to find out.

[Lift Kid]

From what I have seen, since Riblet went out of business, Minnesota lift installs have dropped. Many, many lifts here are Riblets, which were affordable and very reliable/well-built hence the reason many were installed as second hand lifts. Doppelmayr CTEC seems to be popular here in Minnesota now as there is a local D-tec dealer here in the suburbs. Off Topic: I'm shocked that we have ski area related businesses right down the road from my house.. (Track Inc. is a D-tec dealer and Tucker Sno-Cat dealer...Kässbohrer Vehicles (PistenBully) is also right down the road)

Skier, the Sprint lifts aren't that "un-frilly." I believe they're still fairly expensive.

I'm glad to see a lesser-expensive lift for the midwest ski areas. Its a great idea!

This post has been edited by Lift Kid: 07 November 2008 - 02:15 PM

[skier691]

I thought they'd at least skimp on the lifting frames, but guess not. I saw a drawing this summer, the motor room is more of a motor 'cover' than room.?. Like Iceberg said, relocating a lift, after bringing it up to code, new cable, new/freshened control and motor, can cost alot. A more affordable choice is needed, maybe if the cost is right, manufactures could have a period of increased sales is the smaller area market. Yes the Sprint is basic, but nicer than a 40 y.o. polished turd. Although, a second door on the motor room and a lifting rail in the motorroom would have been nice.$ And flat roofs on everything...???

[Lift Kid]

Is the "motor 'cover'" similar to the Riblets at Giants Ridge, MN?

[skier691]

Is the "motor 'cover'" similar to the Riblets at Giants Ridge, MN?

Like the Rocky Top Lift?? Yeah, kind of... or at least in drawing. Seem to recall the cover being able to slide off the motor area.?? And the tension system was different...?.... My memory is challenged at times. Time will answer all.

[SkiBachelor]

Quote

You know this is exactly the type of lift I've thought there's been a market for for the past couple of years.

Partek was serving this market segment, but it must not have been profitable enough to make things work out. Since Doppelmayr CTEC has the resources to make this work out better because it can spread out overhead costs, I think it will pick up quite a bit of business. However, I don't understand why this didn't start happening when it bought Partek!

[yosemitemtb]

From what I've heard, the Echo is bottom drive and top tensioned, the tension is hydraulic with a hand operated pump. This would be a great lift to replace one of our old Hall's except it is only available in right hand up.

[aug]

skier691, on Nov 7 2008, 02:18 PM, said:

I thought they'd at least skimp on the lifting frames, but guess not. I saw a drawing this summer, the motor room is more of a motor 'cover' than room.?. Like Iceberg said, relocating a lift, after bringing it up to code, new cable, new/freshened control and motor, can cost alot. A more affordable choice is needed, maybe if the cost is right, manufactures could have a period of increased sales is the smaller area market. Yes the Sprint is basic, but nicer than a 40 y.o. polished turd. Although, a second door on the motor room and a lifting rail in the motorroom would have been nice.$ And flat roofs on everything...???

I think not having the lifting frame is an option any more since they are for fall protection for maint workers.

This post has been edited by aug: 26 November 2008 - 07:54 PM

[Peter]

Found a picture of this thing...

Attached File(s)

•  Untitled.jpg (39.23K)
  Number of downloads: 145

[skier691]

A few of Welch's new Eco-lift.

Attached File(s)

•  DSCF0733welch new1.jpg (1.16MB)
  Number of downloads: 182
•  DSCF0734welch new.jpg (606.6K)
  Number of downloads: 186
•  DSCF0730welch uphill.jpg (1.05MB)
  Number of downloads: 109

[Skier123]

skier691, on 14 August 2009 - 08:04 AM, said:

A few of Welch's new Eco-lift.

It kinda looks like Poma's Orion model.

[seilbahnbilder.ch]

Many thanks for the pictures, I like the new design. How many different fixed grip chairlift designs is Doppelmayr CTEC currently using?

[Peter]

From what I can tell here are the current models:

Drive Tension:

1. Uni-Star with tension  IMG_0275.JPG (53.38K)
Number of downloads: 39

2. Galaxy (may be discontinued)

3. Sprint

4. Gemini (may be discontinued)

Drive Fixed:
5. Uni-Star

6. Eco  DSCF0733welch new1.jpg (93.63K)
Number of downloads: 64

7. Northstar (may be discontinued)

8. Northstar LT (may be discontinued)

9. "European" version  top.jpg (158.68K)
Number of downloads: 55

So 9 fixed grip drive terminals, tension terminals in the next post...

[Peter]

Return Tension:
1. Aurora

2. Pegasus

3. Intrepid

4. "European" version  bottom.jpg (174.82K)
Number of downloads: 44

Return Fixed:
5. Eclipse

6. Orion


That makes 6 return, 9 drive and 15 total.

[seilbahnbilder.ch]

Thank you very much. As far as I know Doppelmayr CTEC also used the europeen version of the "Uni-Star" (similar to the normal UNI-G and not to the UNI-GS)), didn't they?

[Peter]

You're right, there is a Uni-G-esque fixed drive as well as an accompanying return tension. It seems to be used in Eastern Canada and on pulse lifts. I added pictures of those in the above posts.

Does anyone know if any of these are indeed discontinued? It seems like the Uni-Star with tension probably replaced the Galaxy. Also Uni-Star likely replaced Northstar.

[sseguin613]

The european drive and return (similar to Uni G styles) is what last years new Quad at Mont Saint-Sauveur , Quebec is built with. I will try to post some pictures later on. Grey with blue tinted windows, looks very sleek.