Detachable vs Fixed Grip Lifts

[MarzNC]

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.

Agree for Nub's.

But any generalization based on vertical alone isn't going to work. The HS 6-pack at Timberline in WV has clearly been a worthwhile investment for the Perfect family. Has been pulling plenty of advanced skiers from DC/NoVA back to Timberline midweek for day trips and others for weekends when it's more than busy enough to have a lift line in the mornings. Timberline vert is 1000, skiable acres just under 100 acres. There are only two chairlifts. The HS6 to the summit and a new fixed-grip quad that goes about half-way up that moves pretty slow so beginners can enjoy the ride. Canaan Valley a mile away has old fixed-grip lifts.

 

[SayvilleSteve]

as been pulling plenty of advanced skiers from DC/NoVA back to Timberline midweek for day trips and others for weekends when it's more than busy enough to have a lift line in the mornings.

Do the slopes get crowded though? My personal experience is with Jiminy (my 1,150 dig) and Camelback (~800 vertical) and they are the two most crowded places I have skied. In those cases there are several lifts that serve the summit, so I can see your point about Timberline and only one lift to serve the summit making sense. I also wonder (as Nub's did) how much time is being saved on a shorter high-speed vs fixed grip.

 

[x10003q]

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?

Yes

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

Not so worried about Covid especially standing outside. I don't have a girlfriend.

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.

You need to go to Smuggs on a below zero day and ride the 17 min Madonna Double so you understand what cold is really like. Those old 7000 foot doubles were all we knew and they are freezing especailly with all the stops. Ski areas used to hand out blankets to wear on these lifts to fight the cold (Stowe/Killington/Gore). There are only 2 choices: a 7000 ft high speed lift with an 8 minute ride or a fixed grip lift and a 17 minute ride. I will choose the HS every time.

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 electrical supply vagarities of a once in a lifetime snowstorm in the mountains only means you lucked out.

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?

Yes and also for marketing. People also know that when the ski area is not at max capacity - they will get in more skiing. It is called skiing, not sitting.

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

Yes.

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

 

[Campgottagopee]

You need to go to Smuggs on a below zero day and ride the 17 min Madonna Double so you understand what cold is really like.

This is true
I'll still take the old slow double every single time

 

[SayvilleSteve]

You need to go to Smuggs on a below zero day and ride the 17 min Madonna Double so you understand what cold is really like.

I was there last season on a day so cold that they didn't open Madonna until 11. I managed two trips on that lift and spent the rest of the day on Sterling. I still shiver thinking about it.

 

[x10003q]

This is true
I'll still take the old slow double every single time

You just like resting those knees

 

[Harvey]

Is Madonna the lift everyone complains about?

I tried to google to figure out the time but couldn't. Anyone know?

 

[SayvilleSteve]

Madonna is the longer of the two at Smuggs. 2000+ vertical in ~20 minutes (assuming a couple stops along the way).

According to my tracking app, the two lift rides I mentioned above took 13:04 and 18:03.

 

[jasonwx]

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.

Nob could probably get away with a staircase

 

[Harvey]

Madonna is the longer of the two at Smuggs. 2000+ vertical in ~20 minutes (assuming a couple stops along the way).

According to my tracking app, the two lift rides I mentioned above took 13:04 and 18:03.

So if we assume 13 mins with no stops.... HS would do it in...how much?