<blockquote class=“Quote” rel=“MissDaEast”>map nut said:
“I rode that chair at Aspen Highlands in 1973. It must have been tamed some since 1968, at least the trail had been widened. I had read the same thing and was anticipating a thrill, but the ride wasn’t scary and the trail was easy. Can’t remember anything about the lift. Back then there was only the one way down; the double diamond bowls weren’t open to ski. The lift might have existed mainly for the view of Maroon Bells, and the CO greatest vertical claim (later surpassed by Snowmass).”
Oh yeah, that lift was a doozie! Just before the exit ramp, the ground disappeared and It traversed a canyon between two craggy peaks. There was a sign that said “Prepare to unload” which you could read as you were hanging over …nothing. I remember saying, “Unload? I’m not letting go!!!” I believe the top tower wasn’t far from where it is now, but it was a trip! Map, you are correct about the road from the top being a gentle green, but perhaps you didn’t notice the trails off to the side (you may have not realized there was a side). If you looked over the lip - if you dared look over the lip, it was difficult to see the trail because it was so steep it seemed concave. Oh, and did I mention the shoulder height moguls?
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Enquiring minds gotta know: which lift was this and does the current one still traverse a canyon before skiers disembark? Oh, yes: did that lift encourage riders to taste death by being a safety-barless center pole double?
IBRAKE
