6 replies to this topic

[WBSKI]

I was thinking, there are a lot of ski areas that are getting smaller (in terms of terrain) these days, so I thought it would be cool to make a list, with reasons. Note: this shouldn't just include ski areas that are abandoned, but I suppose if the ski area shrunk in terrain and later was abandoned, that would count (Fortress). Second note: I suppose this can include terrain areas that were once developed but then later abandoned, shrinking the ski area for a time before other terrain was added (Whistler Valley T-bar).

Summit at Snoqualmie: Potential closing of Hyak, closure of the backside of Hyak (I think, correct me if I am wrong on this one). Economic nature
Mount Seymour (closure of Ridge Chair and Enquist areas, decreased total vertical by approx. 60m). Economic nature.
Apex - closure of the second mountain next to the upper parking lot (don't know what this lift was called)
Fortress - closure of Farside, and Curve T-bar terrain. (Certification and economic reasons).
Whistler- Valley T-bar terrain abandoned (except for Peak to Creek run) - Lack of snow I think
Lake Louise - Ski out run to old gondola (new base, flat terrain)

I am sure there are many more ski areas that I have missed!

[SkiBachelor]

Hyak, WA (backside)

[jaytrem]

Killington - Northeast Passage - Had a 9000+ foot fixed grip triple. Was supposed to connect to additional terrain. Didn't get much use. Shorter lift ride probably would have gotten more use. The upper thrid/quarter of the lift is still used for condo access.

Heavenly - Wells Fargo lift, was the lowest part of the Nevada side. Is in the master plan to be reinstalled some day.

[boardski]

Aspen Highlands, CO- On the run "Lower Stein", it was possible to continue to ski/ ride all the way down to the base/ bottom of Exhibition lift. Due to condos built during late 90's/ early 00's, people now must take the uphill runout at the bottom and merge with the main drag (the main intermediate trail, I have forgotton the name) not a big deal but kind of a hassle at the same time.

Also, at Steamboat, there were some runs accessed by the WJW lift (1977-1992). When WJW was removed when Storm Peak and Four Points were replaced/ reconfigured these short runs were lost, however with the addition of Pony Express in 1998, it was again possible to access this terrain in addition to the new runs cut for Pony Express.

As far as parts of mountains in plans but never developed, the Vasquez area at Winter Park, CO home to the Pioneer Express (1986-current) was supposed to have several more runs and about 6-7 more lifts and serve as a third mountain with its own base area but somehow got lost along the way. The Pioneer Express and the runs it serves represents the East Ridge of this area, actually the Pioneer Express was originally going to be named the "East Ridge Express". I don't think they will be able to develop anything more over in this area now due to increasingly stringent forest service regs, struggling economy, etc. I have overheard the possiblity of a lift serving the Cirque (near bottom of Eagle Wind to top of Cirque) on the Mary Jane side next. Probably the recycled Timberline chair.

[hyak.net]

SkiBachelor, on May 13 2009, 10:55 PM, said:

Hyak, WA (backside)

Unlikely Hyak will be mothballed. It is in the plans, but Boyne does not have the financial means to do much, if any work this year (rumor I hear anyway). Ski Lifts, Inc. (or The Summit as it is called too) purchased around 260 acres on the backside of Hyak below what they already owned which completed the bottom and all around the base of Mt Catherine. They would not do this if they did not intend to keep Hyak operational. Most likely if they do not get the finances to install the old Triple chair they will at least clean up the landslide mess so they can operate the lower lift for beginners and the Nordic center will operate.
hyak will not be closed.....

[scrutch2001]

Bouillon Basin (Crystal Mountain). The triple chair was moved over to replace the old T-Bar and renamed "Gold Hills." Plans are still around to put a new chair back in the area (perhaps a re-used FG), but with today's economic climate who knows?

[Jonni]

Kind of unrelated, but here's the New England version of this. It doesn't show abandoned parts of ski areas so much as just lost ones:

http://www.nelsap.org