22 replies to this topic

[DonaldMReif]

What are some of the steepest unload ramps on chairlifts you've encountered (type of lift can be anything)?

For double chairlifts, I currently put Looking Glass at Winter Park (the almost quintogenarian Riblet in the "Wonderland" section of the mountain) as one. I've also seen the unload of Lift 5 at the winter unload station, though I've never used it as I've only been on Lift 5 during summer operations to reach the Alpine Slide.

I think the absolute steepest unload ramp I've ever seen would have to be the new Zendo lift. All of the stuff I've read on Breckenridge's Facebook page about Peak 6 essentially is, "Peak 6 is great in every way except unloading Zendo."

For example, this anonymous individual on Breckenridge's Facebook page said this after opening day for Peak 6 on Wednesday:

Quote

Would've been nice if Zendo was more snow boarder friendly. Getting off of that lift was horrible. Way too steep with nowhere to go or stop and at least strap in. I had to sit to strap in and began sliding down the hill. Waited for my sister and saw several others have issues with falling and not being able to stop. Seriously did you not try it out with snowboarders? We couldn't even get out of the way fast enough before more people were falling and sliding down into us with nowhere to go. Needless to say I didn't even attempt Kensho after that. Such a waste of time.

With regards to that, this photo does not necessarily show the entire scope of the unload ramp, but it does show part of it:


This video that I took of Zendo last Thursday is a better demonstration of just how steep the ramp is (fast forward at 8:40 in the video):



I was practically having to do a pizza to ski down the slope to get to the Kensho SuperChair's line entrance.

On the other hand, the Kensho SuperChair's ramp is more or less about the same pitch and steepness as ramps on the Independence SuperChair or the high speed quads on Peaks 8, 9 and 10.

This post has been edited by DonaldMReif: 28 December 2013 - 11:06 AM

[liftmech]

Growing up in the Northwest gives one an appreciation for steep unload ramps. Almost every ramp I recall in the 70s and 80s was built 30' off the deck and was generally much steeper than the runs the lift served. Most of my examples are gone now-- the side-by-side doubles 4 and 5 at Baker; Crystal's chairs 2, 3, and 5; and White Pass's old chair 1. You have to remember all of these were built before modern snowcats so that was the only way to keep snow from burying the unload ramp.

[keydispatch]

Tote Road Express at Loon Mt. NH. Coming back from South Mountain. I have witnessed a lot of pile ups there due to the ramp being steep. also it is a fixed grip quad. So people do not expect the sudden drop with out a slow down.

[skierdude9450]

I skied Breck Peak 6 for the first time yesterday, and I will admit that the unload area for Zendo is pretty poorly set up. The unload ramp itself is not bad, however it quickly slopes down to the right, which by the fourth day of being open was already scraped bare with rocks showing everywhere. Unfortunately it's just steep and far enough that boarders will have to strap in (unless you're really good at riding on one foot) to get down to Kensho. If you sit on the left side of the chair, you'll be able to go to the left and find a good place to strap in rather than being forced down the hill.

I seem to remember the old Chair 4 at Loveland having a pretty steep unload ramp at both stations, however probably not quite like some of the lifts the Liftmech was describing.

[DonaldMReif]

As I said above, fortunately Breckenridge got the set up for the Kensho SuperChair's unload area perfectly. It doesn't feel too different from unloading the Independence SuperChair. The only thing about the Kensho SuperChair that feels different is when you leave the bottom terminal and tower 1 is a combi (4S2C both directions as it would be described on www.remontees-mecaniques.net), and the actual climb does not start until towers 2-4, which have to be some of the closest spaced towers I've ever seen on a high speed six pack (other than the Village Express).

That aside, I think there are a few other steep ramps I've come across. For one I think the new Mountaintop Express lift's unload ramp is a slight bit steeper than the original quad's ramp was, which might have to do with the fact that the upper terminal is actually raised a bit. Now that I think of it, I think I have to add both unload points on Lift A to that list.

[SkiLiftsRock]

The steepest I have a picture of is 3 Kings at Park City

 IMG_0013.JPG (359.58K)
Number of downloads: 113

This post has been edited by SkiLiftsRock: 30 December 2013 - 03:42 PM

[SuperRat]

keydispatch, on 29 December 2013 - 08:10 AM, said:

Tote Road Express at Loon Mt. NH. Coming back from South Mountain. I have witnessed a lot of pile ups there due to the ramp being steep. also it is a fixed grip quad. So people do not expect the sudden drop with out a slow down.

Yes, the unload at Tote Road East is like ramps of old: long, steep and fast. Like some old chairs the unload isn't at the bull wheel so its important for riders to get clear of the chair quickly.

I think Doppelmayr recommends 25 degrees for fixed grips.

 Screen Shot 2014-01-02 at 10.11.12 AM.png (1.37MB)
Number of downloads: 121

This post has been edited by SuperRat: 02 January 2014 - 07:28 AM

[Ryan]

I remember the old double at Mt. Cranmore (what is now called the C-More Double) that had an insane unload ramp followed by an immediate 90deg. hard right turn. This goes back a ways. Back when the ski mobile was still in operation.

[william b]

The recently removed mid-station unload on Waterville Valley's World Cup Triple would have to make the list. We always called it a double-diamond unload... and at one point the lift carried both skiers and foot traffic for tubing; the foot traffic unloaded at the mid station. It was questionable if the foot passengers could get down the ramp before they were run down by skiers/boarders.
Its removal was an intelligent decision.

wbl

[Nof]

Thanks mods for the add. For this question I'm going with the blue chairlift at Mt. Hood Meadows. For the longest time they restricted snowboarders from riding this lift unless MEX/Jacob's ladder was OOS. The wind usually scours any fresh snow from the ramp leaving a treacherous cauldrin of boilerplate. At the bottom is cross traffic from the unload of MEX(Mt. Hood Express) to the head of the south canyon trail.

Good picture: http://www.skilifts....topterminal.jpg

[keydispatch]

SuperRat, on 02 January 2014 - 07:21 AM, said:

Yes, the unload at Tote Road East is like ramps of old: long, steep and fast. Like some old chairs the unload isn't at the bull wheel so its important for riders to get clear of the chair quickly.

I think Doppelmayr recommends 25 degrees for fixed grips.

Screen Shot 2014-01-02 at 10.11.12 AM.png

That is awesome thanks for the picture. That guy back there is my friend Adam I worked with him for 6 seasons before I moved to Colorado. Getting that ramp done.

[boardski]

My vote is for Iron Horse at Mary Jane since it turns into a run as soon as one unloads the chair. This was the last lift I learned to unload without falling on a snowboard.

[DonaldMReif]

I now add a few more to the list of 'steeper ramps': the Ruby Express lift and Wayback.

This post has been edited by DonaldMReif: 06 January 2014 - 06:37 AM

[LiftTech]

SuperRat, on 02 January 2014 - 07:21 AM, said:

Yes, the unload at Tote Road East is like ramps of old: long, steep and fast. Like some old chairs the unload isn't at the bull wheel so its important for riders to get clear of the chair quickly.

I think Doppelmayr recommends 25 degrees for fixed grips.

The max code allows is 30% or just short of 17 degrees

[SuperRat]

keydispatch, on 05 January 2014 - 10:25 AM, said:

That is awesome thanks for the picture. That guy back there is my friend Adam I worked with him for 6 seasons before I moved to Colorado. Getting that ramp done.

I know Adam.

[boardski]

Lift 2 at Loveland (top ramp) always gives skiers and riders a "run for their money" also. It is similar to Iron Horse at MJ as there is no flat area immediately after unloading. Beginner snowboarders need to "hobble" for quite a ways before there is a flat area to strap the back foot in. Looking Glass at Winter Park is also similar to old #4 at Loveland. It is a steep ramp and one has to immediately turn right or left to avoid hitting the raised return assembly (mid 60's Riblet)

This post has been edited by boardski: 10 January 2014 - 06:23 AM

[DonaldMReif]

boardski, on 10 January 2014 - 06:20 AM, said:

Lift 2 at Loveland (top ramp) always gives skiers and riders a "run for their money" also. It is similar to Iron Horse at MJ as there is no flat area immediately after unloading. Beginner snowboarders need to "hobble" for quite a ways before there is a flat area to strap the back foot in. Looking Glass at Winter Park is also similar to old #4 at Loveland. It is a steep ramp and one has to immediately turn right or left to avoid hitting the raised return assembly (mid 60's Riblet)

I did already mention Looking Glass in an earlier post. I believe that Funnel, the Elk Camp Gondola's predecessor, had a similar ramp, from photos I've seen.

[Kicking Horse]

Funnel was not that bad.

[DonaldMReif]

Here's a better view of Zendo's unloading ramp as you see what Horizon Warming Hut looks like as you return from Peak 6's trails, showing the hill you go down to go from Zendo to the Kensho SuperChair.

[SkiDaBird]

Old Gad 2 at Snowbird had a steep and long enough hill it was built on, that when my backpack got caught on the lift and I got ragdolled (no fun), I could make a joke about freshies. If I had to guess, steeper than Regulator and 10-15 feet long. I'l see if I can find a picture anywhere.

This post has been edited by SkiDaBird: 21 January 2014 - 11:16 PM