I'm going to rank Whiteface next. The tallest ski area in the east operates a fleet of 9 lifts, and has worked with various manufacturers over the years, including Riblet, Hall, Garaventa-CTEC, Doppelmayr, and Skytrac.
9. Mountain Run
This is one of the hardest credits to get as it is so rarely open. It seems to only operate when the nearby Little Whiteface chair is down for wind or mechanical issues. I didn't feel I could rank it over any of the more frequently open lifts.
8. Falcon Flyer
This is the only lift out of the Bear Den base, though that will change next year. I do feel it was a missed opportunity to have a high speed quad here, because they're going to spend an insane amount to build one all the way to mid station.
7. Warhorse
Whiteface's newest lift, this one replaced both the Bear and Mixing Bowl doubles, and runs on Bear's route, but extends further down. It does start in a weird location. I ranked it above Falcon Flyer because it does provide access to the Freeway lift, and is better suited to its location. I also think how it crosses under the gondola is cool.
6. Freeway
Also known as the racer chair, this lift serves, well, the race trails. It's useful on very crowded or very windy days, but the fact that it's a long slow ride and the trails being rarely open to the public prevent me from ranking it higher.
5. Little Whiteface
The secondary lift to the top of Little Whiteface has a very interesting history. It was originally built by Riblet as one of the original lifts, but was upgraded by Hall, then Garaventa-CTEC, and then Doppelmayr into the lift we have today. The lift is most useful on crowded days, and in the spring when conditions at the base might be less than ideal. The upper portion is also very scenic. The fact that it doesn't serve any terrain on its own, the fact that it's a long slow ride, and it's less than stellar reliability prevent it ranking higher.
4. Facelift
I was on the fence between Facelift and Little Whiteface, but I ultimately went with Facelift. One, when combined with the Summit Quad or Lookout Triple, it serves some of the longest possible runs at Whiteface, or anywhere in the east for that matter. Two, it typically has little to no wait, making it useful for leaving the base on crowded days. Three, a recent refurbishment means that it runs much faster than it used to, making for a shorter ride and higher capacity.
3. Lookout
This lift serves Whiteface's longest trail, and is a very scenic ride. The other two trails, Hoyt's and Lookout Below, while rarely open, are excellent when open, and mean that this lift serves some of Whiteface's best terrain. It also has very comfortable chairs, and runs pretty fast for a fixed grip.
2. Summit
This is the lift that makes Whiteface's region-leading vertical possible. The terrain off it is excellent, and the views are unmatched in the east. Like Lookout, it also runs pretty fast for a fixed grip. I could lap this lift all day, but there is still one lift at Whiteface that ranks higher.
1. Cloudsplitter Gondola
A recent refurbishment has breathed new life into what was once a tired old lift. Before that, it would not have been anywhere near the top of this list. This is the highest vertical lift in the Northeast and it's running faster and more reliable than it has in a long time. Being an enclosed lift, it's very useful to warm up on frigid days that are oh so common at Whiteface. It follows a unique profile with two very steep climbs split up by a dip in the middle. You also get excellent views of the Wilmington Notch while riding. There are so many terrain options off of it from blues like Excelsior to blacks like Mountain Run or Mackenzie, to glades, but the lift alone is enough to earn the top spot.
