9 replies to this topic

[DonaldMReif]

I have noted a couple of instances of ski resort trail maps where the lift ride time listed on the trail map is not the same as the actual ride time on that lift.

My main example is Breckenridge's high speed quads and six packs. These discrepancies are ones I have noted through the use of video recordings I made of rides on these lifts:

1. The Falcon SuperChair is listed as a seven minute ride without stops or slows. The actual ride time is about 6.5 minutes.

2. The Mercury SuperChair is also listed as a seven minute ride. The actual ride time is closer to eight minutes.

3. The Rocky Mountain SuperChair is listed as a seven minute ride time, which is interesting because Google Earth allows you to determine that it is about 0.40 miles shorter than the Mercury SuperChair, and both lifts have operating speeds of 1,000 fpm. The actual ride time from bottom to top: 5.5 minutes.

4. The Beaver Run SuperChair is listed with an 11 minute ride time on the trail map. The actual ride time without stops is 9.5 minutes.

5. The Independence SuperChair is listed with a 6.5 minute ride time on the trail map. But that was the ride time the trail map used when it was built and was still used even after the lift was extended down to Grand Lodge on Peak 7. The actual ride time without stops was more like 7.5 minutes. However, this year, the opening of the Kensho SuperChair and the removal of the gates at the bottom has seen the Independence SuperChair's operating speed increase somewhat, shortening the ride time by 30 seconds.

Compare the ride time in this video of the Independence SuperChair last season:


With this video of the same lift this season:

This post has been edited by DonaldMReif: 10 January 2014 - 07:42 AM

[floridaskier]

A couple years ago Deer Valley changed all the ride times on their trail map. Most of them went up 1-2 minutes, with a couple going down. I doubt anyone has been out there with a stopwatch, but it seems to be more accurate now. A few of them were ridiculous before - it had Ruby, with 54 chairs, at 5 minutes, and Silver Lake, with 138 chairs, at 6 minutes. Now they're listed as 4 and 9.

Not too many places still list times at all

[SuperRat]

If any resort wants an accurate ride time of a lift they should just ask an lifty who works the top regularly.

Spend enough time in a top shack and you'll eventually perform a detailed statistical analysis of the lift including ride time.

[Kicking Horse]

SuperRat, on 14 December 2013 - 02:53 PM, said:

If any resort wants an accurate ride time of a lift they should just ask an lifty who works the top regularly.

Spend enough time in a top shack and you'll eventually perform a detailed statistical analysis of the lift including ride time.

This is very true.

[aug]

Interesting ..... but with all the variables it really does not matter, Length/FPM = ride time Mystery solved.

[DonaldMReif]

My point was questioning the fact that the lift ride times shown on the Breckenridge trail map don't match up with the actual ride times of the lifts. I haven't been to Winter Park recently, although their trail map shows the ride times of their lifts, but I'm pretty sure some of them might not be exact.

[Lift Dinosaur]

....and why does it have to be "exact"? The point is ride time equals Length/FPM according to the lift design (see aug's post #5). If the Area chooses to run it slower...the ride time increases. If there are slows and stops...the ride time increases. If Marketing gets involved...all bets are off!
Shall we discuss design capacity vs. actual capacity next?
Dino

[DonaldMReif]

That had been what I was saying. I had wondered if the ride times on the Breck trail map were meant to calculate the expectation that the lift may stop or slow once on your way up.

[cjb]

nope, and they don't take into account running at reduced speed for wind, or for beginners that cannot negotiate loading and unloading of a lift at full speed (even detachables) or running at a reduced speed due to trail conditions or the simple fact that maintenance likes running a little slower than max because it is easier on the equipment.

[snoloco]

Okemo, VT posts ride times. I have not yet been there yet, so I can't time it, but here are the differences if the lifts were running at their designed speed.

Northstar at is rated for 1,100 fpm. It is 6,430 feet long and has a posted ride time of 6 minutes. If the ride time is correct, then the lift would be running at about 1,070 fpm. If it ran at 1,100 fpm then the ride time would be about 5.8 minutes.

South Face is rated for 1,100 fpm. It is 4,605 feet long and has a posted ride of 5 minutes. If this ride time is correct, then the lift would be run at about 920 fpm. If the lift was run at 1,100 fpm, then the ride time would be about 4.1 minutes.

Solitude is rated for 1,000 fpm. It is also 4,605 feet long and has a posted ride time of 5 minutes. If this ride time is correct then the lift would be running at about 920 fpm as well. If it were run at 1,000 fpm, then the ride time would be about 4.6 minutes.

Jackson Gore is rated for 1,100 fpm. It is 4,093 feet long and has a posted ride time of 4.5 minutes. If this ride time is correct, then it would be running at about 910 fpm. If it were run at 1,100 fpm, then the ride time would be about 3.8 minutes.

Coleman Brook is rated for 1,000 fpm. It is 2,569 feet long and has a posted ride time of 3 minutes. If this ride time is correct, then it would be running at about 855 fpm. If it were run at 1,000 fpm, then the ride time would be about 2.6 minutes.

From these, it seems as if they rounded up to the nearest half with their ride time, but Northstar seems to be by far the most accurate if the lift was run at full speed. Either they accounted for lots of slows and stops on the other lifts or they do not run them at their designed speed.