Detachable vs Fixed Grip Lifts

[Harvey]

Where do we really need high speed lifts?

What problem are these lifts solving?

 

[x10003q]

I'm not a fan of the Hunter Six. It' makes a 90 degree turn which is a little odd, to me.

What problem are these lifts solving?

Marketing

 

[MarzNC]

How do these things react to cross winds?

The chairs are very heavy. I think at Big Sky that was one reason to go in that direction. They also have a similar design 6-pack on the upper mountain. Wind is more of a problem there than for Ramcharger 8.

 

[MarzNC]

I'm not a fan of the Hunter Six. It' makes a 90 degree turn which is a little odd, to me.

A few quad lifts at Snowbird make a 90-degree turn. Does feel odd, but it works fine.

 

[Harvey]

Marketing

In my opinion it's the only plausible answer.

 

[Brownski]

A resort owner once told me that having a “high speed” lift listed for your hill equated to a 20% increase in ticket sales.

 

[Milo Maltbie]

All the new high speed/high capacity lifts are great for skiers who want to do laps on groomers, but my favorite rides have always been limited capacity lifts. The MRG single, Castlerock double, the old Rendezvous Bowl J bar, Hickory Hill, the Lone Peak tram and the Highland Bowl and Tucker snow cats. Not one of those places would be improved by replacing those witha high speed 6 pack. Unforunately, the economics of the industry, especially in the West, are that the approvals for the right of way are the largest cost of building a lift, so a high speed heated octuple bubble lift costs only about 5% more than a T bar on the same line. That's why you are seeing fewer but bigger lifts.

mm

 

[MiSkier]

In my opinion it's the only plausible answer.

In the case at Boyne the 8 person lift will be replacing two triple lifts. I did read where due to a lot less chairs the uphill capacity will not be much different. But I also know it a marketing thing

 

[MiSkier]

I will have pics in the 22/23 ski season. As long as Covid doesn’t delay things

 

[Milo Maltbie]

A resort owner once told me that having a “high speed” lift listed for your hill equated to a 20% increase in ticket sales.

A mountain manager once told me the the most common complaint on powder days was that they don't groom enough. Clearly different skiers have different opinions about what makes skiing enjoyable.

mm