252 replies to this topic

[DonaldMReif]

I still wonder if the Northwoods Express at Vail needs to become a high speed six pack due to the crowds it gets as, much like Pallavicini (that's the proper spelling), it is not only an expert skier/rider pod but also an access lift. In this case, it is used by intermediate and beginner skiers who are moving back to the central and west Front Side from the east Front Side after they are done at the Sourdough Express or lunch at Two Elk Lodge. The Northwoods Express also gets a lot of traffic from skiers returning to the Front Side from Blue Sky Basin in the afternoon. Though experts can use the High Noon Express as an alternate way to go from the top of the Teacup Express back to Patrol Headquarters, intermediates have to go back to the Northwoods Express. Hypothetically, even though it isn't in the master plan, a high speed six pack could replace the Northwoods Express and then the current lift could be relocated to replace the Sun Up lift (which should be replaced if only for the fact it's the sole lift outside the learning areas aside from platter lifts that is not a high speed quad, six pack, or gondola), making another alternate to the Timberline Catwalk to move between Patrol Headquarters and the Sourdough Express besides going all the way down to the Highline Express lift.

[Vincopotamus]

At Purgatory, do you think a HSQ Chair 8 replacement would have a midway loading station like it's currently configured? Seems like it would add a lot of expense to include a mid-station, but it's likely the only way to be able to lap the blue runs under that lift without skiing down the final black diamond pitch to the lower terminal in Hermosa Park.

Will be sad to see the Legends area get tracked out that much quicker with a HS lift, but I guess that is the way of the buffalo....

[Backbowlsbilly]

The HSQ replacement of Chair 8 at Purgatory would not have a mid station at the current midway loading, the master plan calls for the lower pitch from the current midway load to the bottom to be regraded so it is a blue trail and then a midway load would no longer be needed.

[SkiDaBird]

Backbowlsbilly, on 30 March 2014 - 08:35 AM, said:

The HSQ replacement of Chair 8 at Purgatory would not have a mid station at the current midway loading, the master plan calls for the lower pitch from the current midway load to the bottom to be regraded so it is a blue trail and then a midway load would no longer be needed.

They regraded parts of Gadzooks at Snowbird this year to help with increased traffic from the HSQ and the intermediates still struggle a lot with it.

[alexboesen]

DonaldMReif, on 24 March 2014 - 08:11 AM, said:

I still wonder if the Northwoods Express at Vail needs to become a high speed six pack due to the crowds it gets as, much like Pallavicini (that's the proper spelling), it is not only an expert skier/rider pod but also an access lift. In this case, it is used by intermediate and beginner skiers who are moving back to the central and west Front Side from the east Front Side after they are done at the Sourdough Express or lunch at Two Elk Lodge. The Northwoods Express also gets a lot of traffic from skiers returning to the Front Side from Blue Sky Basin in the afternoon. Though experts can use the High Noon Express as an alternate way to go from the top of the Teacup Express back to Patrol Headquarters, intermediates have to go back to the Northwoods Express. Hypothetically, even though it isn't in the master plan, a high speed six pack could replace the Northwoods Express and then the current lift could be relocated to replace the Sun Up lift (which should be replaced if only for the fact it's the sole lift outside the learning areas aside from platter lifts that is not a high speed quad, six pack, or gondola), making another alternate to the Timberline Catwalk to move between Patrol Headquarters and the Sourdough Express besides going all the way down to the Highline Express lift.

Long term i believe Vail will upgrade Avanti, Northwoods and (possibly) Game Creek on the front side and Orient Express to HSS. I think its a question of sequencing and load balancing. I suspect that the next two chairs to go in will be HSQs to replace Sun Up and installation of the new Sundown Express. Vail may also need to look at adding additional capacity (via additional quad chairs) to Tea Cup and Skyline.

[boardski]

I don't know if lift replacements are the answer but Steamboat needs to do something with their fixed-grip chairs. Morningside, Four Points, Burgess Creek, and Elk Head were notably terrible last week with multiple slow downs and stops every ride. Lift rides were taking 15 minutes plus on those lifts. Steamboat has a lot of fun terrain but the ride uphill sucks. It is almost faster to walk.

[Nate214]

We suffer from the same problem our lift #1 soon as it gets busy the lift is hardly running. Many slows and stops when you need capacity the most. So then we fire up the old AC drive double Stadeli next to it to get more capacity but that lift will chew you up and spit you out if you don't know what you are doing. Taos Ski Valleys Six Pack lol Fixed grip Quad and Fixed grip double side by side cranking people up the hill on the busy days.

This post has been edited by Nate214: 01 April 2014 - 05:04 AM

[skierdude9450]

alexboesen, on 30 March 2014 - 01:33 PM, said:

Vail may also need to look at adding additional capacity (via additional quad chairs) to Tea Cup and Skyline.

The two chairs were upgraded to full design capacity (2,400 p/h) only a year or two after their installation. Based crowds, Northwoods and Avanti definitely need to be upgraded to six packs. There is plenty of terrain serviced by both lifts to accommodate the increase in uphill capacity. Sun Up lift I think is okay to remain as it is. The ride time isn't overwhelmingly long and it is only occasionally crowded. I am vehemently opposed to a Sun Down lift, even if it would improve on mountain access. The need to take two lifts in order to lap Sun Down Bowl keeps the snow fresh.

[Backbowlsbilly]

skierdude9450, on 01 April 2014 - 11:12 AM, said:

I am vehemently opposed to a Sun Down lift, even if it would improve on mountain access. The need to take two lifts in order to lap Sun Down Bowl keeps the snow fresh.

I agree with this one and I think that the High Noon Express as a high speed quad is good for serving both bowls as Wildwood is short and seldom has a line. A Mongolia Bowl lift would be really nice though, especially to relieve crowds on Orient although maybe as a low capacity high speed quad or a fixed triple.

This post has been edited by Backbowlsbilly: 01 April 2014 - 04:24 PM

[SkiDaBird]

Taking 2 HSQs in a row isn't bad at all. Pow days at Bird consist of Zoom to LC over and over for me.

[mrskifriend]

Here are a few I have in mind: Mt. Hood Express at Mt. Hood Meadows. The lines on peak days are insane, especially when it snows. I mean 15 minute lines every time, all the time. A six or eight pack would be nice. The Basin Quad at White Pass because it is super slow. And the T-Bar at Big White because people are frequently falling and it is one terribly long and scary T-Bar ride. at least it scares people away from the powder up there .

[RibStaThiok]

Nate214, on 01 April 2014 - 05:02 AM, said:

We suffer from the same problem our lift #1 soon as it gets busy the lift is hardly running. Many slows and stops when you need capacity the most. So then we fire up the old AC drive double Stadeli next to it to get more capacity but that lift will chew you up and spit you out if you don't know what you are doing. Taos Ski Valleys Six Pack lol Fixed grip Quad and Fixed grip double side by side cranking people up the hill on the busy days.

That sounds quite entertaining! Would love to see some photos and video of it happening. if not just to see that old Stadeli working :)

[Nate214]

RibStaThiok, on 03 April 2014 - 05:15 PM, said:

That sounds quite entertaining! Would love to see some photos and video of it happening. if not just to see that old Stadeli working :)

I got 6 Stadelis. We are doing gearbox inspection on old lift 5 hear we might be taking her down in 2016 nothing official yet.

[Nate214]

2 of them are the AC Drive with a drum controller. 1973 for lift 5 and 1976 for lift 6 both are back ups at this point and we still use lift 5 when really busy and for Ski Week Ski off 1 hour sun and mon every week most of the season. Not much use out of these any more. Would love to see a High Speed from bottom to top with a mid way around top of 1 or 5. Then this can be the primary lift and park #1 for backup and keep #2 running. Take down 5&6.

[mrskifriend]

skierdude9450, on 19 February 2014 - 11:11 PM, said:

Wizard and Solar Coaster on Blackcomb truly need to be six packs. Their capacity as it stands is insufficient to accommodate the morning rush. You can easily wait more than half an hour if you arrive at Wizard between 9-10 on a busy day.

I'm really excited for the Whistler Village Gondola's new cabins. Unfortunately it probably won't shorten the line substantially, but it will be a much more enjoyable ride.

Nice! Maybe we could all sit down versus kind of hang over the edge of the seat! Those old 1988 cabins are more for function than luxury.

[boardski]

Steamboat needs to recruit the lift crew from Taos #5 to operate Morningside for sure and their families should be recruited to operate Four Points. I realize in the world of "service excellence" and all that jazz it can be a very tricky balance to hold customers accountable so their negligence does not interfere excessively with other customers and still contribute to the 'ol western friendly atmosphere Steamboat is supposed to be known for. Back to topic, would love to see lift #2 at Loveland split into a lower and an upper after yesterday but does not sound like anytime soon. Sounds like the H-90 platter might be in service more next season though which would help some. Still a great area though.

This post has been edited by boardski: 05 April 2014 - 11:42 AM

[woofydoggie]

I hope Stratton replaces the SnowBowl fg quad with a LP detachable bubble quad.

[machskier]

Perhaps but I wouldn't hold my breath. Stratton already has a signature enclosed lift with the Gondola (and it is getting new cabins this season).

woofydoggie, on 12 August 2014 - 05:59 PM, said:

I hope Stratton replaces the SnowBowl fg quad with a LP detachable bubble quad.

[woofydoggie]

True, although the snow bowl has some of the best skiing, and that lift is so slow, and is never open. The bubbles would also be more aerodynamic. the new cabins are awesome!

They could even move it to the old kiddelbrook line.

[snoloco]

A 6-pack like what they've got on the rest of the mountain would do just fine in Snow Bowl. No need for a bubble at a mountain that has a gondola.