27 replies to this topic

[chairliftsrcool]

I was looking in the chairlift installation section of the forum and saw that Copper Mountain would be receiving a highpoint replacement finally! Has this project been officially confirmed? Why not use Leitner-Poma (sorry i am sort partial), their factory is just down the road? I am just wondering the finite details of this because the installation is desperately needed, i hate riding that long and slow chair!
chairliftsrcool

[chairliftsrcool]

Also could this departure from Poma (Leitner-Poma) be attributed to the sale of Copper to Powder Corp.?

[liftmech]

There are many factors, suffice it to say it was a carefully considered decision. As far as confirmation, I wouldn't have posted it if we were still on the fence.

[floridaskier]

Seems like a loss for Poma, who has sold you guys all but one of the detachables. Was Powdr responsible for Skye Peak Express at Killington? Park City is obviously a Doppelmayr stronghold, but they have other Poma-heavy resorts too

[liftmech]

As I said, we took many factors into consideration. In today's industry where there are only two suppliers, there will obviously be one who comes up short regardless of the final decision. It's not like the 80s where one company got the bid and the other five or six could console each other and try again next year. We will obviously send out next item out for bid again, and next time it may be a Poma. Who knows. Honestly, I'm just happy we're finally upgrading our fleet.

[DonaldMReif]

liftmech, on 09 February 2011 - 06:15 PM, said:

As I said, we took many factors into consideration. In today's industry where there are only two suppliers, there will obviously be one who comes up short regardless of the final decision. It's not like the 80s where one company got the bid and the other five or six could console each other and try again next year. We will obviously send out next item out for bid again, and next time it may be a Poma. Who knows. Honestly, I'm just happy we're finally upgrading our fleet.

Any idea as to where the lift will end? It sounds like it has a different alignment from the old lift. And then I wonder what the name will be. It probably won't be High Point Express since the other high speed quads (except for the Timberline Express lift) don't use the name "Express" in their name (one thing that makes Copper stand out from most resorts).

This post has been edited by DonaldMReif: 09 February 2011 - 06:53 PM

[liftmech]

It will terminate where the current lift's transformer sits, so basically in the same location. As for names, we haven't even cut the line yet. When we get to that point, I vote we keep the same name, no 'express' attached. (an overused term in our industry, IMHO).

[boardski]

Any chance the '76 Yan will be reinstalled up Tucker Mountain? Good to hear it is High Point being upgraded and not Alpine. I am not very excited about the liklihood of Triple Treat and Too Much being groomed edge to edge as this seems to come as a package deal with lift upgrades at many areas.

As for the name, Copper should go back to using letters. This was a very unique way to identify lifts, or they could use letters and the names similar to how Vail uses the numbers and the names.

This post has been edited by boardski: 09 February 2011 - 08:46 PM

[liftmech]

Slim to none, but it could happen. I've heard quite a few different ideas for the lift lately, but nothing definite. I'm sure we'll have a few meetings to get it figured out, since we need to start the removal process right after we shut down. Whether we reinstall it will dictate how gently we take it down.

We still call Timberline I-lift in house, and I'm sure we'll do the same with H.

[DonaldMReif]

liftmech, on 10 February 2011 - 04:36 AM, said:

Slim to none, but it could happen. I've heard quite a few different ideas for the lift lately, but nothing definite. I'm sure we'll have a few meetings to get it figured out, since we need to start the removal process right after we shut down. Whether we reinstall it will dictate how gently we take it down.

We still call Timberline I-lift in house, and I'm sure we'll do the same with H.

I'm sure that reinstallation would be the better way and to try to use it as long as possible.

[Lift Dinosaur]

liftmech, on 10 February 2011 - 04:36 AM, said:

Slim to none, but it could happen. I've heard quite a few different ideas for the lift lately, but nothing definite. I'm sure we'll have a few meetings to get it figured out, since we need to start the removal process right after we shut down. Whether we reinstall it will dictate how gently we take it down.

In house removal?
Remove and store? Sewer Plants out...back of the Corn Lot?
Dino

[Peter]

Quote

Copper will replace High Point lift with detachable quad
February, 10 2011 1:14 pm

Summit Daily News
Copper Mountain Thursday announced it will replace the old High Point lift at Union Creek with a high-speed detachable quad this summer. The old two-seater fixed-grip chair has served the beginner area since 1976.

The lift, manufactured by Doppelmayr USA, will have a new alignment to help improve skier and rider circulation in and out of Union Creek. In conjunction with the new lift, the addition of a new trail connection from the east will make the circulation from the Catalyst Terrain Park and the beginner and intermediate terrain in the area, much easier.

“I have been skiing at Copper since college and when Powdr purchased Copper, we did so with a goal of enhancing and improving the on-mountain experience,” says John Cumming, president and CEO of Powdr Corp. “I am very excited about taking this first step.”

The new lift will have a capacity of 2,400 people per hour, a length of 4,937 feet, with a vertical rise of 1,005 feet. The ride time will be 5 minutes, a fraction of the current lift ride from Union Creek to mid-mountain now. The top terminal will be realigned slightly uphill and to the east of the current High Point lift. The lower terminal will move to the east side of the Schoolhouse. Construction of the new lift is scheduled to start June 1.

“After a year of significant infrastructure investments in snowmaking, parking and much more, we are excited to announce a more visible on-mountain improvement,” says Gary Rodgers, president and general manager of Copper Mountain Resort. “We view the new lift as a critical step in improving the Union Creek skiing and riding experience for all ability levels.”

[liftmech]

Lift Dinosaur, on 10 February 2011 - 05:15 PM, said:

In house removal?
Remove and store? Sewer Plants out...back of the Corn Lot?
Dino

Yup. You've done that dance before. Marty's already ordering oxygen and acetylene

[DakarNick]

I want to help, Liftmech! By the way, you should name it Express Express

[liftmech]

I figured you would, Nick. Not sure how it's all going to go down yet. We'll be removing the lift and relocating the carpets, but beyond that, it's up to our bosses to figure out manpower needs and all that. As far as I've heard it will be a turnkey construction project, with the mechanic and electrician who get the lift helping out.

[stmad12]

I thought this would be coming, just not sure when. This post clears it up, glad to hear they're finally putting a better lift in there.
PS: Will this new lift use a "Loading Carpet" sort of Magic Carpet to load, or will it be a ski-up?

[2milehi]

Enjoy your new Pilz PSS PLC....ha ha ha

[iceberg210]

Liftmech:
Is H Lift a wide enough gauge to be made into a triple via chairs or is it the more narrow gauge (11 feet maybe? I can't remember offhand) that Yan made.

Thanks

Also if I might suggest a name, while I know that it means nothing, I thought 'Hex' was an interesting idea, and at least it amused me...

[missouriskier]

This is great news for Copper Mountain. I kind of wish it was going to be a Leitner-POMA but still it is a needed upgrade. I was almost surprised when I read this, I would have thought that the A lift replacement or the K and L replacement gondola would have been first, but replacing H makes more sense now.

[SkiBachelor]

With the High Point lift being replaced, if someone is able to take a few photos of the lift prior to its removal, that would be appreciated.