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May, 2025

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The Chairlift Thread

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Daph
Posts: 5978 - Karma: 5,011
Lets face it, chairlifts are awesome. They make our lives as skiers so much easier and without them we'd all be a bunch of "earn your turns" TGR bro brahs (no offense to those who do prefer the backcountry mentality}
I've seen a few threads throughout the years on here about them but I thought it would be nice to have one where we can talk about all things lift related. I know a lot of people on here have been liftys and there are a few other lift mechanics on here as well.

So yea, chairlifts man. What are your favorite lifts you've ridden? Anyone's home resort putting in a new one this summer? Which ones scare the absolute shit out of you? Any random questions about how they work or regarding a specific encounter?

To get this shit started here are some neat lift photos





10 years ago
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theabortionator
Posts: 52627 - Karma: 174,631
YoungDaphI love going to ski areas with older machinery. My home mtn in Colorado is Loveland, all fixed grip lifts and still family owned. One of the only places to ski on the i70 corridor without heinous lift lines.

Big Sky is making some big plans to update some of the older lifts (granted they've said this for the past 5 years I've been here) and it's kind of sad but some of our lifts need to go in the worst way. My crew is currently doing the summer maintenance to one of our oldest lifts, installed in 1973 manufactured in 1968. Fucker is a nightmare to work on and it has some serious issues but sounds like it really might be getting replaced next summer with a high speed quad. We have 6 lifts that are over 40 years old and one of my good friends who shoots photos for the resort told me that they won't use any of his shots with old lifts in them which is just asinine.


That's stupid but guess I can understand it. In their head they only want to show the best of the resort which to them is everything new. Everything old is garbage. Honestly that might not be wrong considering the mindset of some of the families looking for a place to spend their ski vacation.

Also I love driving by loveland but have never been. Hopefully going to change that shit coming season.
10 years ago
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Daph
Posts: 5978 - Karma: 5,011
theabortionatorThat's stupid but guess I can understand it. In their head they only want to show the best of the resort which to them is everything new. Everything old is garbage. Honestly that might not be wrong considering the mindset of some of the families looking for a place to spend their ski vacation.

Also I love driving by loveland but have never been. Hopefully going to change that shit coming season.


It's got some really killer terrain, definitely go mid winter when the ridge is open and filled in. Their park pales in comparison to other summit county ski areas but it's still fun. They're actually doing some cool lift overhaul projects this summer too I wish you could tag members on this damn website, I'd make casual come in here and show us some pics of what's all going down
10 years ago
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Deepskier
Posts: 3270 - Karma: 4,865
w_skierthere still is one in sun valley, I think it's like the 3rd one ever built



my favorite type of lift are the old school riblet doubles, unfortunately we only have like 2 here on the east coast



Its the very 1st ever built. Number one oldest resort in skiers and the resort...
10 years ago
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a_burger
Posts: 5257 - Karma: 21,143
DeepskierIts the very 1st ever built. Number one oldest resort in skiers and the resort...


The first one was over on one of the other hills in town, the one in the picture was built a season or two after.
10 years ago
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Deepskier
Posts: 3270 - Karma: 4,865
w_skierThe first one was over on one of the other hills in town, the one in the picture was built a season or two after.


No I live in sun valley and the top picture up the steepish hill is the first chairlift I promise you. My dad gapped it and threw a 3 over it. Trust me.
10 years ago
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GayWolf420
Posts: 38121 - Karma: 130,012
can I show some love for the oldies? here is the OG Collins lift at Alta back in the 30's. We have one of the chairs in our museum at work, and its pretty damn cool looking at the thing, actually.





we also have some wild photos from back in the day of slides that happened up there, those old lifts never stood a chance. ill try and find some, in the meantime, Gad 2 @ snowbird is my favorite chair right now. Nothing too flashy, pretty brand new, the old one was a slow double and its now a high speed quad, and gets us to some of our favorite zones. stays fairly uncrowded on fresh days, too. perfect lapping chair:

old gad 2:



new gad 2:



Chairlifts are really cool machines and much respect to anyone that runs them or works on them.
10 years ago
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Swandog7
Posts: 4957 - Karma: 9,033
My favorite one be the tow rope at Hyland hills MN. Chairlifts don't exist in MN
10 years ago
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Daph
Posts: 5978 - Karma: 5,011
Swandog7My favorite one be the tow rope at Hyland hills MN. Chairlifts don't exist in MN


Rope tows are awesome and aren't utilized enough out west. I really wish they would put one in our base area park
10 years ago
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Swandog7
Posts: 4957 - Karma: 9,033
YoungDaphRope tows are awesome and aren't utilized enough out west. I really wish they would put one in our base area park


I take so many laps I get tired before I would normally leave. No one else uses them because they use slow ass t bars and stuff. The hot laps is real here. Hot laps originated here. The only downside is douche bag snowboarders who fuck with the rope and it eats your gloves. Say goodbye to those new Dakine gloves.
10 years ago
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byubound
Posts: 1636 - Karma: 9,873
My personal favorite chairlift:
Chair 2 at Alpental, WA
10 years ago
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grilled_steeze
Posts: 422 - Karma: 1,448
theabortionatorSome of those are cool and all but I doubt they have the history of this gem. Unfortunately just got torn down a few weeks ago.



The same chairlift used to carry the load from wagons up the notoriously steep and deadly Lolo pass on the Oregon trail. Built in 1827, it serviced around 1,600 travelers. Decommissioned in 1839 as newer technology became available. The lift sat dormant for over 50 years until the Harvey County Historical Museum, located in Burns, Oregon resurrected the lift for it's display on American Pioneering. In 1963 the chairlift was purchased by a newly opened ski center in Queensbury NY. " I think it's amazing to be able to save a piece of history and put it back into use"- replied Cady Stanton when interviewed at the grand unveiling. Here you will still finding it today, making it the oldest and longest operating chairlift in the United States. Local teacher and long time community member Brenda Wallisch had this to say to New York Times reporters,"I think it's amazing we're able to share this artifact with our children today. It really helps to give them hands on experience with learning about history. They're able to not only see, but experience the hardships faced by travelers nearly 200 years ago. You just can't get that kind of impact from a text book alone". And so the ski lift remains. You can visit the ski center on West Mountain Road in Queensbury, NY 8a.m.-4p.m. 7 days a week and take a ride on your own little piece of history.

https://www.newschoolers.com/membernewsread/A-Piece-History-West-Mountain#PY9yXVW9l8EI3oay.97


I call bs. Check out their page on http://www.chairlift.org
My dad and I know the original owners. It came from kobl mountain (closed) in lake placid and was upgraded with bromley parts in 1990s
10 years ago
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OregonDead
Posts: 7075 - Karma: 26,651
skipoint0I call bs. Check out their page on http://www.chairlift.org
My dad and I know the original owners. It came from kobl mountain (closed) in lake placid and was upgraded with bromley parts in 1990s


HAHAHAHA
10 years ago
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grilled_steeze
Posts: 422 - Karma: 1,448
OregonDeadHAHAHAHA


i cant tell why im being laughed at. lol not your fault.
10 years ago
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grilled_steeze
Posts: 422 - Karma: 1,448
OregonDeadHAHAHAHA


i cant tell why im being laughed at. lol not your fault.
10 years ago
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OregonDead
Posts: 7075 - Karma: 26,651
skipoint0i cant tell why im being laughed at. lol not your fault.


Sorry not laughing at you just laughing because of ridiculousness. Borty came clean about his fake story on back in July on pg 1.
10 years ago
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grilled_steeze
Posts: 422 - Karma: 1,448
OregonDeadSorry not laughing at you just laughing because of ridiculousness. Borty came clean about his fake story on back in July on pg 1.


holy shit i didnt even see that. its time to accept the fact that im retarded
10 years ago
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a_burger
Posts: 5257 - Karma: 21,143
skipoint0holy shit i didnt even see that. its time to accept the fact that im retarded


its good dude I did pretty much the same thing on the first page lol
10 years ago
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a_burger
Posts: 5257 - Karma: 21,143
skipoint0holy shit i didnt even see that. its time to accept the fact that im retarded


its good dude I did pretty much the same thing on the first page lol
10 years ago
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jdfreeski2
Posts: 210 - Karma: 439
CheddarJackMRG single chair.



Mmmm now that's some serious chairlift porn


that looks old but cool
10 years ago
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theabortionator
Posts: 52627 - Karma: 174,631
skipoint0I call bs. Check out their page on http://www.chairlift.org
My dad and I know the original owners. It came from kobl mountain (closed) in lake placid and was upgraded with bromley parts in 1990s


Are you calling me a liar?
10 years ago
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grilled_steeze
Posts: 422 - Karma: 1,448
theabortionatorAre you calling me a liar?


well, Im not calling you a truther
10 years ago
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theabortionator
Posts: 52627 - Karma: 174,631
skipoint0well, Im not calling you a truther



We pride ourselves in using 100% factual information in our news articles.
10 years ago
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Kretzschmar
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One of my favorite photos I've taken.

https://instagram.com/p/7WOjECzbu8
10 years ago
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SterlingArcher
Posts: 2200 - Karma: 2,456
the LG at winter park has some amazing views of fraser valley.

10 years ago
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skier58284
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YoungDaphWhich ones scare the absolute shit out of you?


The one at Whitecap that goes from the top of one hill (or "mountain" as they call it) to the top of another. It is an old double with no safety bar and goes like 200 feet off the ground.
10 years ago
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perryhunter
Posts: 721 - Karma: -185
No doubt, I personally like the chair lifts in sun valley. Also the new tech aerial tram in Snowbird tough.
10 years ago
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_salty_
Posts: 672 - Karma: 1,034
whiskersAnyone who has ever been to Whitecap Mountain in Upson, Wisconsin knows about their legendary peak to peak chair.


I was on a lift with wood slats for the seat there and two of the middle slats were gone... Scariest lift ride up
10 years ago
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3mania
Posts: 2649 - Karma: 10,869

I guarantee you have never seen a set up like this. Tbars and single seats lifts hanging from the same haul rope. La Hoya ski resort in Esquel Argentina Circa 2003. Not sure if they are still rocking this set up.
10 years ago
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Chinchi
Posts: 1591 - Karma: 4,212
CheddarJackMRG single chair.



Mmmm now that's some serious chairlift porn


nothing like taking this lift with some homies and chirping them from behind
10 years ago
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cyphers
Posts: 1846 - Karma: 21,215
Reviving thread to post breakovers.
This one on Mineral Basin at Snowbird has the last two tower foundations straddling a catwalk:

6 tower breakover, not sure where this one is.

The Mt. Roberts tram in Juneau doesn't have a breakover (or towers), but is pretty intense.
7 years ago
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TrickyDick470
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SterlingArcherthe LG at winter park has some amazing views of fraser valley.


Even though the terrain off of Looking Glass is nothing too special, I love taking laps on it sometimes. Hardly anyone takes it and sometimes when everything else is tracked out a few days after a storm there are still some goods over there. Then after taking some super short "pow laps" you can hit the two mini parks on the way back to the other side of the mountain.
7 years ago
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SkiBum.
Posts: 3614 - Karma: 3,992
Should bring up recent incident at Tissy Mountain. Few days back. Small hill in Pennsylvania by State College

Grips not done right when chairs got put back on. All slide on rope. Piled up. People hurt. Lift evac

I'm sure a law suite will happen. And for a mountain like that, would mean it gets shut down
7 years ago
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cyphers
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SkiBum.Grips not done right when chairs got put back on.


Fixed or detach?
7 years ago
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SkiBum.
Posts: 3614 - Karma: 3,992
bread_birdFixed or detach?


Fixed. Looked like 4 or 5 loaded chairs pilled up together. I saw a picture on another site. I don't know how to post or get it on here
7 years ago
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cyphers
Posts: 1846 - Karma: 21,215

Wow
7 years ago
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SkiBum.
Posts: 3614 - Karma: 3,992
bread_bird

Wow


Haha, yup there it is.

Article
http://www.saminfo.com/headline-news/8984-lift-malfunction-at-tussey-mountain-under-investigation
7 years ago
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PsychicMigration
Posts: 2099 - Karma: 10,552
Gondolas suck, just hate taking my skis off and walking. They are also super warm and as long as its not -50 Ill be on open quads. If there is a quad next to a gondola why take my skis off, wait longer get foggy goggles and sweaty when I can be outside. slight disclaimer I do get warm skiing when its anything above ten without the wind.
7 years ago
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evaroni
Posts: 3895 - Karma: 3,781
Liftblog.com

A wealth of news and info on past and upcoming lift projects dealing in all kinds of aerial rope ways. Pretty dope site.
7 years ago
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bergobeanz
Posts: 264 - Karma: 962
MNSkiers


grip an rip


Yewww until the rope breaks on opening day just like the last 3 years hahah
7 years ago
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ButteredToast.
Posts: 6459 - Karma: 2,571
peterkskisGondolas suck, just hate taking my skis off and walking. They are also super warm and as long as its not -50 Ill be on open quads. If there is a quad next to a gondola why take my skis off, wait longer get foggy goggles and sweaty when I can be outside. slight disclaimer I do get warm skiing when its anything above ten without the wind.


The one thing that really makes up for taking your skis off on a gondola is when you get one all to yourself and you can just sit there and look around in your own little bubble. It's so cozy and quiet in there, I love it.

On the topic of the thread the Sublette chair at Jackson Hole is real scenic. Love that one.



There was another one at Telluride that kinda wigged me out. It was an oldish double or triple that didn't have a safety bar and was high as shit. Gave me the heebie jeebies and a serious case of butt tingles.

**This post was edited on Dec 3rd 2018 at 12:29:32pm

**This post was edited on Dec 3rd 2018 at 12:30:22pm
7 years ago
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SuspiciousFish
Posts: 2794 - Karma: 16,914
peterkskisGondolas suck, just hate taking my skis off and walking. They are also super warm and as long as its not -50 Ill be on open quads. If there is a quad next to a gondola why take my skis off, wait longer get foggy goggles and sweaty when I can be outside. slight disclaimer I do get warm skiing when its anything above ten without the wind.


I agree, I hate Gondolas with a passion. When I skied Snowbird I always made a point to get the Chairs only pass. Being stuck in a giant gondola squished in the middle in a claustrophobic hellhole is not enjoyable skiing.

Double chairs are great too btw because it really cuts down on tourists accessing the more expert terrain and skiing the runs out.
7 years ago
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CalumSKI
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is it just me or do any of you guys love the squeaking noise the chair makes as it goes through the towers
When i hear that noise for the first time ik its the start of a new season
7 years ago
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JoeF2661
Posts: 1627 - Karma: 6,302
CalumSKIis it just me or do any of you guys love the squeaking noise the chair makes as it goes through the towers
When i hear that noise for the first time ik its the start of a new season


I love it so much I youtubed it over the summer.
7 years ago
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CalumSKI
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JoeF2661I love it so much I youtubed it over the summer.


its just so satisfying ya know
7 years ago
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GayWolf420
Posts: 38121 - Karma: 130,012
People shit on Park City a lot but Jupiter Chair is our humble little rickety double-chair fixed grip and its kinda home.......fun terrain to cruise up there too. its not wildcat but it does the trick. ive easily had some of my best runs ever off of that thing
7 years ago
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ButteredToast.
Posts: 6459 - Karma: 2,571
CalumSKIis it just me or do any of you guys love the squeaking noise the chair makes as it goes through the towers
When i hear that noise for the first time ik its the start of a new season


For me it's the buzzing/clicking sound the detachable quads make from the vibration of the cable.

This sound:
https://www.newschoolers.com/videos/watch/916483/Gunnar-Express-Lift-at-Seven-Springs-Mountain-Resort

Mmmm yeah that's the good stuff. Makes me feel like it's in ski season instantly.
7 years ago
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Daph
Posts: 5978 - Karma: 5,011
Man I can't wait for our giant new lift to open so I can post some pics of that motor room. Thing is so state of the art it's insane. It's been a privilege to build and I can't wait to be it's mechanic for years to come.
7 years ago
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cyphers
Posts: 1846 - Karma: 21,215
DaphMan I can't wait for our giant new lift to open so I can post some pics of that motor room. Thing is so state of the art it's insane. It's been a privilege to build and I can't wait to be it's mechanic for years to come.


Is it direct drive? Or is that only an LPA thing right now?
7 years ago
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Daph
Posts: 5978 - Karma: 5,011
bread_birdIs it direct drive? Or is that only an LPA thing right now?


Doppelmayr d-line. First in North America. Makes leitner direct drives look like playthings
7 years ago
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cyphers
Posts: 1846 - Karma: 21,215
DaphDoppelmayr d-line. First in North America. Makes leitner direct drives look like playthings


Hoo boy am I excited for those photos
7 years ago
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