Unique Lifts

joshua_segal

<blockquote class=“Quote” rel=“TomWhite”> Hide Away Hills, Ohio had a 3 stage rope tow. I rode it in the early 60’s.</blockquote>

Tell me about the 3-stage rope tow. Did you have to dismount the lift between segments?

I just went on Hide-A-Way Hills web-site. It doesn’t appear that they have skiing any more. I was about 10 the single time I skied there in the early 60’s. My family lived south of Pittsburgh. Friends in Columbus had a second home at The Hills, which opened in 1961. They had a very long rope tow, my guess 1500-2000’. So, one didn’t have to carry the rope so long, there were two “mid-stations”. They were well designed, being level or maybe slightly pitched. One could slide off to the side or slide to regrip the rope. I’m sure it was one rope (one motor). But I don’t remember the pulley system. You had to dismount but regripping was effortless as I recall. This was southern OH w/o snowmaking.

</blockquote>

I remember a series of three sequential rope tows at Adirondack Ski Center (Lost NY). IMO: 3 separate lifts.

joshua_segal

<blockquote class=“Quote” rel=“ceo”>Only one detachable Poma still exists in New England, the Upper Snowdon Poma at Killington. The one at Burke was replaced last year and North Lynx at Sugarbush used to be one. Wasn’t there one at Pico or Okemo? [EDIT: I see you listed Pomas with a turn; never mind.]</blockquote>

Assuming they follow thru with the current plan, it is being relocated to Ramshead this summer.

joshua_segal

Note: I’m dropping chondolas because they are just a hybrid. </blockquote>

And a pretty unique hybrid at that! With a whole host of non-traditional operational specifics. I’d argue that the Chondola is more unique than the difference between keeping your skis on vs not on a gondola. </blockquote>

Tell me why you think that. As best as I can tell, it’s just detachable grips with a combination of of either chairs or gondola cars below the grip.

TomWhite

<blockquote class=“Quote” rel=“ceo”>Oh, and Onset (what later became Bobcat, then Crotched West, then just Crotched) had at least one bubble chair, maybe two; they had the bubbles removed at some point. Now Mt. Snow has one. Is there a difference between a bubble chair and a skis-on gondola?</blockquote>

The bubble chairs were fixed grip doubles. Riders pulled the bubble down from over head like a safety bar. The gondolas (2 at Snow) were detachable grips. The panels/doors automatically closed/opened from the side in the terminals. Riders turned center handle on a shaft that swung footrests.

TomWhite

<blockquote class=“Quote” rel=“NewEnglandSkier13”><blockquote class=“Quote” rel=“ceo”>Only one detachable Poma still exists in New England, the Upper Snowdon Poma at Killington. The one at Burke was replaced last year and North Lynx at Sugarbush used to be one. Wasn’t there one at Pico or Okemo?</blockquote>

There is also one at Stratton.</blockquote>

Stratton’s seems to be used exclusively by the school. I’m pretty sure it is detachable. I grew-up skiing at Hidden Valley east of Pittsburgh. There were 4 pomas. Sometimes you got shot out of the start, especially if you held yourself back a bit!

Cannonball

> @joshua_segal said:
> Note: I'm dropping chondolas because they are just a hybrid.
>
>
> And a pretty unique hybrid at that! With a whole host of non-traditional operational specifics. I'd argue that the Chondola is more unique than the difference between keeping your skis on vs not on a gondola.
>
> Tell me why you think that. As best as I can tell, it's just detachable grips with a combination of of either chairs or gondola cars below the grip.

Yes, which is very unique! Right? Plus separate loading/unloading lines and approaches. What other lifts have those issues? Plus unique challenges in maintenance, repairs, etc.

Or are you suggesting that there is nothing about it at all that separates it from all the other detach lifts?

Or maybe it's just me. Anyone else here think that a Chondola is unique and meet the criteria of this list?

NewEnglandSkier13

<blockquote class=“Quote” rel=“Cannonball”>> @joshua_segal said: > Note: I’m dropping chondolas because they are just a hybrid. > > > And a pretty unique hybrid at that! With a whole host of non-traditional operational specifics. I’d argue that the Chondola is more unique than the difference between keeping your skis on vs not on a gondola. > > Tell me why you think that. As best as I can tell, it’s just detachable grips with a combination of of either chairs or gondola cars below the grip. Yes, which is very unique! Right? Plus separate loading/unloading lines and approaches. What other lifts have those issues? Plus unique challenges in maintenance, repairs, etc. Or are you suggesting that there is nothing about it at all that separates it from all the other detach lifts? Or maybe it’s just me. Anyone else here think that a Chondola is unique and meet the criteria of this list?</blockquote>

I would agree that they are unique.

Chuckstah

Clearly unique. And how about the Wildcat express. Quad in winter, and gondola in sumner. I can’t think of 5 others of either?

joshua_segal

<blockquote class=“Quote” rel=“TomWhite”><blockquote class=“Quote” rel=“ceo”>Oh, and Onset (what later became Bobcat, then Crotched West, then just Crotched) had at least one bubble chair, maybe two; they had the bubbles removed at some point. Now Mt. Snow has one. Is there a difference between a bubble chair and a skis-on gondola?</blockquote>

In addition, there was a quiver on the outside of the clamshell into which the lift attendant placed your poles

newpylong

>
> Clearly unique. And how about the Wildcat express. Quad in winter, and gondola in sumner. I can't think of 5 others of either?

The main lift at Big Mountain, MT is like that.

djspookman

There is also one at Stratton.</blockquote>

What about the GMVS poma at Sugarbush? Isn’t that still in service? (just under the Inverness Quad at Mt. Ellen)

NewEnglandSkier13

<blockquote class=“Quote” rel=“djspookman”><blockquote class=“Quote” rel=“NewEnglandSkier13”><blockquote class=“Quote” rel=“ceo”>Only one detachable Poma still exists in New England, the Upper Snowdon Poma at Killington. The one at Burke was replaced last year and North Lynx at Sugarbush used to be one. Wasn’t there one at Pico or Okemo?</blockquote>

There is also one at Stratton.</blockquote>

What about the GMVS poma at Sugarbush? Isn’t that still in service? (just under the Inverness Quad at Mt. Ellen)</blockquote>

That’s a regular platter.

joshua_segal

In addition, there was a quiver on the outside of the clamshell into which the lift attendant placed your poles

joshua_segal

OK. IMO what makes them unique is the double feed system upon loading. I was unaware of that. It will be back in next summary.

NJSki

A Cabriolet at Stowe is still being listed in the summary. There is no Cabriolet there.

joshua_segal

<blockquote class=“Quote” rel=“NJSki”>A Cabriolet at Stowe is still being listed in the summary. There is no Cabriolet there. </blockquote>

What type of lift is the transfer lift between Mansfield and Spruce?

TomWhite

<blockquote class=“Quote” rel=“joshua_segal”><blockquote class=“Quote” rel=“NJSki”>A Cabriolet at Stowe is still being listed in the summary. There is no Cabriolet there. </blockquote>

What type of lift is the transfer lift between Mansfield and Spruce?</blockquote>

It is a regular gondola. It might have tall cabins like the old Stratton gondi.

NJSki

What type of lift is the transfer lift between Mansfield and Spruce?</blockquote>

Easy Over is a two way Gondola

http://www.newenglandskihistory.com/lifts/viewlift.php?id=802

NewEnglandSkier13

What about lifts that can ridden in both directions? The only areas in New England that I can think of are Sunday River, Loon, Sugarbush, and Stowe. I don’t know about what has existed in the past.

joshua_segal

Summary #4:

Types of Ski lifts that ever existed at between 1 and 5 ski areas in the east (bolded means lift still exists):

Aerial Tramways: Jay Peak, VT; Cannon, NH; Mt. Snow (Air Car), VT “Chain Drive” Double Chairs: Mt. Snow, VT Gondola related: 2-man: Wildcat, NH 3-man: Sugarbush, VT 3-stage 3-haul ropes with 2-midstations: Killington, VT 2-stage 2-haul ropes with mid-station loading/unloading": Killington, VT 1 haul rope with mid-station loading: Mt. Whittier Railroads: Cog: Mt. Washington (NELSAP), NH; Cable car: Mt. Uncanoonuc, NH (NELSAP) Mt. Beacon, NY (Lost NY) Skimobile: Cranmore, NH(2); Homestead, VA; Single Chair: Ascutney, VT Skis-on Gondolas: Mt. Snow, VT(2); Ski Beech, NC Cabriolet Lifts: Mountain Creek NJ, Mt. Tremblant, ON Chondolas: (Two lines, two feeds depending on whether one wants a gondola car or a chair): Sunday River, ME HSQ chair with mid-station loading/unloading: Le Massif, QC HS-Triple: Gore, NY (added 8/3/2018)

Path of lift: Triangular path for haul rope: Killington, South Ridge Surface Lifts: Disc Lift (described earlier): Burrington Hill,VT; Birdseye, VT(2); Underhill, VT; Temple Mountain, NH. (all areas NELSAP) Shovel Handle lift: Black Mtn., NH Pomas with a significant turn on the way up: Jay Peak, VT; Burke Mtn., VT

Flat bed truck: Moose Mtn., MA: as described above by Bill29

What can you add?

I added chondola back in. If other mentioned chondolas have the multi-line multi-feed system that SR has, I will add them.

Note: I am rejecting haul-ropes that contained 1) a combination of T-Bars and disks or 2) a combination of bubble chairs and regular chairs. 3) Detachables with a variety of cars unless there is specific infrastructure for loading one or the other as with chondolas.

There were many places that used variants of Trucks, Cars, Snomobiles, buses to get people up the hill. This list is not including those (I included the Flat bed, because of the infrastructure put together to support it.)

Cat service that has been available at a few eastern venues. Not including that.

Midstations are common (more than 5) on FG lifts so whether they are loading, unloading or both, they are not included in the summary.

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