It looks like a Snowcat Garage! With all they are hoping and planning to do up top in the next couple of years, that space will be used for construction staging and such.... that is my guess anyway. There isn't much storage available anywhere else on that part of Crystal.

I can't wait to see Summer skiing at Crystal again. In the 70's we skied Green Valley well into July. The cost of Summer operations (for Crystal) will be minimal, since they will have staff around for Sightseeing anyway. I won't take many skiers/day to justify operation. I would like to travel to Hood less frequently for training.

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#132 Peter

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Posted 05 November 2010 - 06:14 AM

Cabin storage is going to be at the bottom. The rail goes out the middle of lower terminal on the parking lot side and goes towards the ticket windows. The top vault could also be for storing snowmaking stuff. They announced they are adding snowmaking to that part of the mountain for early and late season.

- Peter 
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#133 liftmech

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Posted 06 November 2010 - 05:07 AM

So, storage of some kind. Coach-- Crystal seems to have an on-again, off-again relationship with Green Valley in the summer. While I was there we never once did it, but later on (late '90s) they ran the old double for a couple of summer sessions right before they tore it out. I agree it wouldn't take much to run a small operation there. Two lifties, a couple of patrollers, and a cat operator for a couple of hours. I recall people bringing their skis up Rex, skiing Green Valley, then hiking back out to the top for a ride down. The draw is there.

Member, Department of Ancient Technology, Colorado chapter.

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#134 chrisp86

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Posted 06 November 2010 - 08:39 AM

Is it just me or are they using metal lift shacks... I haven't seen a clear picture yet? Doesn't seem right to use those when the rest of the mountain has "log" cabin themed lift shacks.

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#135 Peter

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Posted 06 November 2010 - 09:21 AM

chrisp86, on 06 November 2010 - 08:39 AM, said:

Is it just me or are they using metal lift shacks... I haven't seen a clear picture yet? Doesn't seem right to use those when the rest of the mountain has "log" cabin themed lift shacks.

They are using the stock CTEC metal shacks and they're painted white. I think part of it must that both terminals have very limited space.

- Peter 
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#136 chrisp86

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Posted 07 November 2010 - 02:53 PM

Pretty sweet video from Crystal of the tower flying, great camera angles!

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#137 Limelight

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Posted 11 November 2010 - 07:03 AM

May head up there today with my 4 year old just to take a look. Any news on when the haul rope will start getting pulled through?

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#138 Crystal Coach

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Posted 13 November 2010 - 08:09 AM

liftmech, on 06 November 2010 - 05:07 AM, said:

So, storage of some kind. Coach-- Crystal seems to have an on-again, off-again relationship with Green Valley in the summer. While I was there we never once did it, but later on (late '90s) they ran the old double for a couple of summer sessions right before they tore it out. I agree it wouldn't take much to run a small operation there. Two lifties, a couple of patrollers, and a cat operator for a couple of hours. I recall people bringing their skis up Rex, skiing Green Valley, then hiking back out to the top for a ride down. The draw is there.

The discussions between Crystal and CMAC have already begun regarding next Summer. Alan stressed how critical EXCELLENT grooming is- and the easy availability of lots of salt. Without perfect grooming, the snow won't setup probably, the racers and coaches will be unhappy, and they won't return. Without salt, the courses become dangerous after just a couple of racers. It should be a HUGE win-win scenario for the mountain, the hotels and condos, employees, Washington racers... everyone really.

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#139 Peter

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Posted 18 November 2010 - 08:04 AM

Crystal opens tomorrow with limited terrain. The gondola haul rope isn't strung yet which might limit terrain openings because it crosses so many runs.

Can someone explain the rope stringing process in some detail? I know that they start with a smaller diameter rope but does the first rope get strung by hand with someone climbing up the towers?

- Peter 
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#140 Lift Dinosaur

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Posted 18 November 2010 - 10:24 AM

Skier, on 18 November 2010 - 08:04 AM, said:

Crystal opens tomorrow with limited terrain. The gondola haul rope isn't strung yet which might limit terrain openings because it crosses so many runs.

Can someone explain the rope stringing process in some detail? I know that they start with a smaller diameter rope but does the first rope get strung by hand with someone climbing up the towers?

The pilot rope/ sand line/ straw line, etc can either be pulled down the hill by hand(s) with someone climbing each tower and passing the rope up and over OR by small helicopter if the terrain is extreme or time is of the essence. Generally the rope is not put on the sheaves at this time because the pulling process often leads to deropement. Then hand(s) go down the hill again and place the rope on the sheaves. One end is attached to the haul rope and the other to a retrieving device (winch) and pulled around.
Depending on the length and diameter of the haul rope it may be necessary to pull a small pilot rope (9/16"-5/8") and then winch a larger pilot rope (3/4"-7/8") around before attaching to the haul rope. This is a factor of the weight of rope to be pulled as the breaking strength of the pilot rope has to be considered.
Make sense?

Dino

"Things turn out best for the people that make the best of the way things turn out." A.L.