Colorado Lift News Summer 2005 Edition
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This summer is shaping up to be another strong summer for resort
improvements. Two resorts are replacing aging high-speed quads, which
might be a more popular trend here in summers to come. Since many of
Colorado's first high-speed quads were constructed in the mid-1980's, they
are approaching their maximum design life.
Aspen Ski Areas are spearheading resort improvements for this summer. At
Snowmass, the Fanny Hill Express will be removed and replaced by a
high-speed six passenger chair. The new lift will extend to the summit of
Sam's Knob. A mid station will also be available. In conjunction with the
new Snowmass Village, a pulse gondola is being installed between the new
base and the Snowmass Mall. Both projects are being engineered by
Leitner-Poma.
Aspen Highlands is constructing the long awaited Temerity chair this
summer. The lift will negate the need for the long access out of the
Steeplechase run and Highlands Bowl. The lift will built by Leitner-Poma.
Breckenridge is now taking the claim for the highest quad ski lift in the world.
The new Summit Express will crest over 12,840 feet on Peak 8 this
summer, beating Loveland's Chair #9. Chair #9 held the highest chairlift
record for this hemisphere since its opening back in 1998. Due to the
extreme nature of Peak 8, the chair will be a low capacity quad, meaning the
chair spacing will be very long. This will also limit the amount of skiers on
the mountain at any given time. The new chair will also be constructed by
Leitner-Poma.
Beaver Creek is upgrading the slow Larkspur lift this summer. Doppelmayr
CTEC will be engineering this project. This will be the forth new
Doppelmayr lift at Beaver Creek in recent years.
Telluride's Gondola Stage 2
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New Ski Lifts:
Area
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Lift Name
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Type
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Manufacturer
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Capacity (inital/design)
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Breckenridge
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Imperial Express
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HSQ
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Leitner-Poma
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600/1800 p/h
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Aspen Highlands
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Deep Temerity
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FGT
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Leitner-Poma
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1,085/1,085
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Snowmass
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Sky Cab
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PG6
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Leitner-Poma
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530/530
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Snowmass
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Village Express
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HSS
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Leitner-Poma
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3,000/3,000
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Beaver Creek
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Larkspur Express
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HSQ
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Doppelmayr CTEC
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2,400/2,600
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Echo Mountain ^
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Milk Run Special
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FGT
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Yan
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1,500/1,500
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Crested Butte
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West Wall
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FGQ
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Leitner-Poma
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1,200/1,800
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Winter Park
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Super Gauge
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HSS
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Leitner-Poma
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2,600/3,200
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Notes: ^ Lift is a used Yan comprised of three triple chairlifts from Heavenly, California.
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Removed Ski Lifts:
Area
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Lift Name
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Type
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Manufacturer
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Capacity
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Beaver Creek
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Larkspur
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FGT
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Doppelmayr
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1,800 p/h
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Snowmass
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Wood Run
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FGT
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Riblet
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1,800
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Snowmass
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Fanny Hill
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HSQ
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Poma
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2,400
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Squaw Pass *
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T-Bar
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T
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Roebling
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800
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Powderhorn
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Lions Lift
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Poma
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Heron
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800
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Crested Butte
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T-Bar
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T
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Doppelmayr
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1,200
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Winter Park
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Summit Express
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HSQ
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Poma
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2,400
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Winter Park *
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Outrigger
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FGT
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Yan
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1,800
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Notes: * Lifts were not in operation prior to their removal.
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Modified Ski Lifts:
Area
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Lift Name
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Type
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Manufacturer
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Capacity
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Snowmass
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Burlingame
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FGD
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Riblet
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1,200 p/h
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The chairlift was shortened to allow for the alignment of the new Village Express.
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Telluride
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Gondola Stage 2
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HSG8
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CTEC Garaventa
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N/A
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The return bullwheel was replaced.
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Steamboat
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Sundown Express
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HSQ
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Doppelmayr
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2,400
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Protective bubbles were removed from the quad chairs.
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Aspen
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Little Nell
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FGQ
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Poma
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2,400
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The bottom station was moved horizontally for hotel construction such that the lift now has a 2 degree bend.
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Aspen
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Silver Queen
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HSG6
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Poma
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N/A
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The lift's grips were rebuilt and next season new cabins will be added as well as a new drive system.
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Lift & Construction Pictures:
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* Removed Chairs:
* Lift Removal Pictures:
The reconstruction of Squaw Pass Ski Area.
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The remains of the Larkspur lift.
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The partially dismantled Outrigger lift at Winter Park
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* Lifts Being Constructed:
The construction of Beaver Creek's new Larkspur Express as of early August.
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Larkspur towers being flown in using a helicopter in mid August. *
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The aspen trees are changing at Beaver Creek in late September as the cable is being installed. #
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The summit terminal of the new Super Gauge Express at Winter Park. The lift will be reusing the towers from the old high-speed quad as shown above.
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More pictures of the Super Gauge Express.
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The refurbished Yan triple chair being installed up at Squaw Pass/Echo Mtn.
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Construction atop Aspen Highlands **
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Copyright © coloradoskihistory.com All Rights Reserved.
Picture Credits: * Jack Affleck/ Vail Resorts # Jason B. ** Aspen Skiing Company (All other pictures by CSH Staff)
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