snoloco
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 1, 2021
What are some lifts that are hard to get the credits for? (Hardest to catch a ride on) To make this list, it has to be a public lift at a ski resort that is open to the public. Private clubs and lifts that aren't regularly open to the public do not count. Here's my non-exhaustive list in the format of Ski Resort, Lift: Description. I'll also include whether I think the lift is in danger of being removed or not. Note that I have personally ridden all of these.
Whiteface, Lookout: Last to open and first to close for the season. On days it's open, it runs the shortest day. It is also frequently closed due to wind, poor trail conditions, or mechanical issues. Has gone one entire season (15-16) without running a single day and only opened for 2-3 weeks in two other seasons (16-17 and 21-22). Not in danger of being removed, as it has low hours and is the only lift that serves the terrain.
Whiteface, Mountain Run: This is the shorter side of the tandem lift from mid. It used to run pretty often, but when the gondola was built in 1999 and the Mid Station Shuttle Double was removed in 2002, it stopped regularly operating. It only seemed to run on holiday weekends and when the Little Whiteface lift was down. It did not run a single day in 20-21 or 21-22. I think it might have operated one day this year. I could see this lift running more once the Bear Den to mid lift opens, but it will definitely be removed if the Little Whiteface lift is upgraded.
Sugarbush, Slide Brook: The world's longest chairlift is the only detachable on this list. Built in 1995 to connect two formerly separate ski areas, it ran consistently when it originally opened, but its operation has unfortunately become much more sporadic in recent years. This was due to budget cuts, and a multitude of new safety rules that limit its operation. They won't run it in high winds, if the temperature is below 5 degrees, or if there isn't enough snow to allow maintenance staff to drive a snowmobile to every tower. Given its age, it is sometimes closed due to mechanical issues. It is also used as a parts donor for the Super Bravo and Gate House lifts. It has gone two entire seasons (15-16 and 21-22) without operating a single day. The end result is an anemic operating schedule, which is unfortunate because the only other ways to get between the mountains are a lengthy bus ride, or driving and giving up your close parking spot for one much further away. When this lift reaches the end of its useful life, I see it being removed without replacement and dividing the two mountains once again.
Pico, Outpost: They don't make snow on the trails and don't run it on weekdays, so it isn't open much. It is really fun to take laps on when open though. It is supposed to eventually be replaced, which will likely mean the terrain is open much more, but will also likely result in the trails being homogenized with snowmaking and grooming. Is it worth it to be able to ski them more? Depends on who you ask.
Gore, Hudson Chair: The terrain this lift serves was added without any improvements to snowmaking, so it is the last lift to open for the season, often in February, and the first to close, often in mid March. It has one one entire season without operating (15-16), and only opened for one weekend during another season (11-12). If you ski on weekdays, then you can forget about riding it. Throw in some mechanical breakdowns, and inconsistent operating hours on the days it is open, and it's not hard to find a lot of people who have skied Gore frequently, but never rode it. It will be replaced with a high speed quad this summer, and hopefully that lift will be open much more consistently, but I wouldn't get my hopes up.
Whiteface, Lookout: Last to open and first to close for the season. On days it's open, it runs the shortest day. It is also frequently closed due to wind, poor trail conditions, or mechanical issues. Has gone one entire season (15-16) without running a single day and only opened for 2-3 weeks in two other seasons (16-17 and 21-22). Not in danger of being removed, as it has low hours and is the only lift that serves the terrain.
Whiteface, Mountain Run: This is the shorter side of the tandem lift from mid. It used to run pretty often, but when the gondola was built in 1999 and the Mid Station Shuttle Double was removed in 2002, it stopped regularly operating. It only seemed to run on holiday weekends and when the Little Whiteface lift was down. It did not run a single day in 20-21 or 21-22. I think it might have operated one day this year. I could see this lift running more once the Bear Den to mid lift opens, but it will definitely be removed if the Little Whiteface lift is upgraded.
Sugarbush, Slide Brook: The world's longest chairlift is the only detachable on this list. Built in 1995 to connect two formerly separate ski areas, it ran consistently when it originally opened, but its operation has unfortunately become much more sporadic in recent years. This was due to budget cuts, and a multitude of new safety rules that limit its operation. They won't run it in high winds, if the temperature is below 5 degrees, or if there isn't enough snow to allow maintenance staff to drive a snowmobile to every tower. Given its age, it is sometimes closed due to mechanical issues. It is also used as a parts donor for the Super Bravo and Gate House lifts. It has gone two entire seasons (15-16 and 21-22) without operating a single day. The end result is an anemic operating schedule, which is unfortunate because the only other ways to get between the mountains are a lengthy bus ride, or driving and giving up your close parking spot for one much further away. When this lift reaches the end of its useful life, I see it being removed without replacement and dividing the two mountains once again.
Pico, Outpost: They don't make snow on the trails and don't run it on weekdays, so it isn't open much. It is really fun to take laps on when open though. It is supposed to eventually be replaced, which will likely mean the terrain is open much more, but will also likely result in the trails being homogenized with snowmaking and grooming. Is it worth it to be able to ski them more? Depends on who you ask.
Gore, Hudson Chair: The terrain this lift serves was added without any improvements to snowmaking, so it is the last lift to open for the season, often in February, and the first to close, often in mid March. It has one one entire season without operating (15-16), and only opened for one weekend during another season (11-12). If you ski on weekdays, then you can forget about riding it. Throw in some mechanical breakdowns, and inconsistent operating hours on the days it is open, and it's not hard to find a lot of people who have skied Gore frequently, but never rode it. It will be replaced with a high speed quad this summer, and hopefully that lift will be open much more consistently, but I wouldn't get my hopes up.
Last edited:
