Colorado Lift News
Summer 2005 Edition
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.
Modified Lifts:
Telluride's Gondola
Stage 2
Aspen's Gondola
Snowmass' Burlingame
New Ski Lifts:
Area
Lift Name
Type
Manufacturer
Capacity
(inital/design)
Breckenridge
Imperial Express
HSQ
Leitner-Poma
600/1800 p/h
Aspen Highlands
Deep Temerity
FGT
Leitner-Poma
1,085/1,085
Snowmass
Sky Cab
PG6
Leitner-Poma
530/530
Snowmass
Village Express
HSS
Leitner-Poma
3,000/3,000
Beaver Creek
Larkspur Express
HSQ
Doppelmayr CTEC
2,400/2,600
Echo Mountain ^
Milk Run Special
FGT
Yan
1,500/1,500
Crested Butte
West Wall
FGQ
Leitner-Poma
1,200/1,800
Winter Park
Super Gauge
HSS
Leitner-Poma
2,600/3,200
Notes: ^ Lift is a used Yan comprised of three triple chairlifts from Heavenly, California.
Removed Ski Lifts:
Area
Lift Name
Type
Manufacturer
Capacity
Beaver Creek
Larkspur
FGT
Doppelmayr
1,800 p/h
Snowmass
Wood Run
FGT
Riblet
1,800
Snowmass
Fanny Hill
HSQ
Poma
2,400
Squaw Pass *
T-Bar
T
Roebling
800
Powderhorn
Lions Lift
Poma
Heron
800
Crested Butte
T-Bar
T
Doppelmayr
1,200
Winter Park
Summit Express
HSQ
Poma
2,400
Winter Park *
Outrigger
FGT
Yan
1,800
Notes: * Lifts were not in operation prior to their removal.
Modified Ski Lifts:
Area
Lift Name
Type
Manufacturer
Capacity
Snowmass
Burlingame
FGD
Riblet
1,200 p/h
The chairlift was shortened to allow for the alignment of the new Village Express.
Telluride
Gondola Stage 2
HSG8
CTEC Garaventa
N/A
The return bullwheel was replaced.
Steamboat
Sundown Express
HSQ
Doppelmayr
2,400
Protective bubbles were removed from the quad chairs.
Aspen
Little Nell
FGQ
Poma
2,400
The bottom station was moved horizontally for hotel construction such that the lift now has a 2 degree bend.
Aspen
Silver Queen
HSG6
Poma
N/A
The lift's grips were rebuilt and next season new cabins will be added as well as a new drive system.
Lift & Construction Pictures:
* Removed Chairs:
The Larkspur Lift
The Outrigger Lift
The Fanny Hill Lift
Crested Butte's T-Bar
The Summit Express
The Wood Run Lift
Squaw Pass' T-Bar
* Lift Removal Pictures:
The reconstruction of Squaw Pass Ski Area.
The remains of the
Larkspur lift.
The partially dismantled Outrigger lift at Winter Park
* Lifts Being Constructed:
The construction of Beaver Creek's new Larkspur Express as of early August.
Larkspur towers being flown in using a
helicopter in mid August. *
The aspen trees are changing at Beaver Creek in
late September as the cable is being installed. #
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.
More pictures of the Super Gauge Express.
The refurbished Yan triple chair being installed up at Squaw Pass/Echo Mtn.
Construction atop Aspen Highlands **
Previous Editions:
2004-2005 Season
2003-2004 Season
2002-2003 Season
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All Rights Reserved.

Picture Credits:
* Jack Affleck/ Vail Resorts
# Jason B.
** Aspen Skiing Company
(All other pictures by CSH Staff)