Detachable vs Fixed Grip Lifts

[SayvilleSteve]

I'd still rather wait 10 minutes in line for a 5 minute ride up than a 5 minute wait for a 10 minute ride up.

 

[Harvey]

You'd rather wait standing than sitting.

Me, all things equal, I finds lift rides more relaxing than lift lines.

On an uncrowded day (no lift lines) you will get more runs/vert at Hunter than I will at Plattekill. If you ski all day.

These days, I only go all day if conditions are off the hook, powder, corn, whatever.

This all assumes that when you get off the high speed vs fixed chair, the snow conditions and skier density are the same. Someone knows the answer to that question, but I don't.

I acknowledge that I am in the minority on this.

 

[x10003q]

You'd rather wait standing than sitting.

I would rather stand in line. It is safer.

Me, all things equal, I finds lift rides more relaxing than lift lines.

I would rather be on and off the lift in the shortest amount of time. It is not relaxing sitting in high winds at below freezing temps.

On an uncrowded day (no lift lines) you will get more runs/vert at Hunter than I will at Plattekill. If you ski all day.

Yes.

These days, I only go all day if conditions are off the hook, powder, corn, whatever.

Oh my.

This all assumes that when you get off the high speed vs fixed chair, the snow conditions and skier density are the same. Someone knows the answer to that question, but I don't.

A HSQ or FGQ (at full capacity) can deliver the same amount of bodies to the top

I acknowledge that I am in the minority on this.

That is why we love you!

 

[Harvey]

My ideas are quoteworthy!

No doubt there are advantages and disadvantages to thinking the same way as everyone else.

Like any issue, how you frame the question has everything to do with the answer. I don't doubt that the majority of people (who prefer detachables) would answer these questions differently:

Do you like a faster ride to the top?
Do you prefer to wait standing in a group of covid infected masses or sitting with your girlfriend alone looking out at the mountains?

Regarding below freezing temps and high winds... which lift would you rather ride in BELOW ZERO temps with no wind? I've been on the Adk Express at times wishing they would slow it down. Which lift would you rather ride in the Catskills during winter storm Riley? Only two upper mountain lifts in the Catskills ran that whole day, two fixed grips at Plattekill. The best ski day of my life.

The whole issue of HS and detachable delivering the same amount of people to the top:

Do ski area owners spend millions more on lifts that are more expensive to maintain and don't last as long, because they want to deliver the same amount of people to the top?

I'm not against high speed lifts, they make sense in plenty of places, but not everywhere.

I'm now going to ban X for a week, because he will have great and compelling arguments for why I am wrong.

 

[raisingarizona]

“A HSQ or FGQ (at full capacity) can deliver the same amount of bodies to the top”

Damn straight. You can have a FGQ that’s totally loaded with more chairs on a line.

I don’t like lines no matter what kind of chair. If there’s a full maze I’ll go home. No lines and a high speed chair is the best especially if I’ve only got a few hours to blow.

I also rarely ski full days anymore unless it’s a sleeper storm day. Those are unicorns unfortunately these days.

But whatever. I don’t really have time for skiing anymore and I’m losing interest more and more every year. For some reason desert loitering has been getting me a lot more excited, probably because I’m starting to really hate the cold

 

[SayvilleSteve]

I agree with pretty much everything x10003q said. There are too many considerations and variables for me to say absolutely one over the other. Are the cushions soft? Is it windy? Are there footrests on the lift? Is it raining? Are we in a group that can chat in line, but can't on the lift due to numbers? Does the cable make a funny squeaking sound? Is there a beer in my pocket? Are there d-bags in line near me? Are there d-bags on the same chair as me? Am I the d-bag? Does this lift take me to where I want to go? If you can strip all of those variable out, I stand by my 'I'd rather spend less time on the lift" comment.

 

[raisingarizona]

I agree with pretty much everything x10003q said. There are too many considerations and variables for me to say absolutely one over the other. Are the cushions soft? Is it windy? Are there footrests on the lift? Is it raining? Are we in a group that can chat in line, but can't on the lift due to numbers? Does the cable make a funny squeaking sound? Is there a beer in my pocket? Are there d-bags in line near me? Are there d-bags on the same chair as me? Am I the d-bag? Does this lift take me to where I want to go? If you can strip all of those variable out, I stand by my 'I'd rather spend less time on the lift" comment.

Now I'm confused and completely stressed out. Thanks Steve, thanks a fucking lot man.

 

[tirolski]

What’s in a Comfortable Carrying Capacity calculation?
Park City folks are deliberating.

No decision on PCMR lift upgrades after marathon planning commission meeting

The Park City Planning Commission did not come to a decision on the fate of lift upgrades at Park City Mountain Resort Wednesday night, but will take up the issue once again next week.

www.kpcw.org

 

[MarzNC]

Nub's Nob carefully studied what to do for a replacement for a primary quad lift. The answer was clear . . . a Skytrac fixed-grip quad. It's being built and will be installed in 2023.

September 27, 2022

Nub’s Nob Announces New Quad for 2023

Michigan ski areas continue to invest in new lift technology as Nub’s Nob today became the latest to announce a project for 2023. Skytrac will build the new Green chair, a fixed grip quad rep…

liftblog.com

 

[SayvilleSteve]

There is no reason to have a HSQ on anything less than 1,000 vertical--Nub's is less than half of that--and you certainly don't need a six-pack if your vertical is 1,150.