199 replies to this topic

[Peter]

I think the marketing department got most of it right except the 3 feet in 24 hours part. I believe them when they say they thought it was ready to go. Even after the issue, it has been running smoothly all day for the past few days with employees riding it. As of yesterday afternoon, the haul rope is still up and cabins are on the line. Apparently a splicer is coming on Tuesday.

[Kelly]

I don’t think Crystal’s statements are any grand scheme to deceive the public or illuminates an engineering fumble. The statement has pretty common tones reflected in other past resort resplicing events - it gives what the public readers can digest and is a marketing statement subtly blaming some technical issue with “the cable” (rather than a late finish schedule) that was “caught just in time” before disaster struck – this really is not a technical bulletin to the State Tramway Board. Ten years from now that first resplice during Christmas rush will be a distant memory…except for those mechanics and the splicer that did the work that week…in the rain.

[Peter]

Found this on another forum, made me laugh.

Quote

My impression is that the gondola is not really for skiers. Its more like a corporate TAX shelter. As this piece of shiney junk falls apart, the corporation collects insurance and gains a tax shelter. It also allows the corporation to develop the restaurant more. I bet the darn thing will be starting and stopping more then the Cascade Crest Chairlift at The Summit! Once they fix all the BUGS like gondolas FALLING off the cable when its not even moving and (possible) inadequate '"wire rope" manufacturing.
Sort of a Wal-Mart lift built in China and installed in our precious mountains by Swiss and or Chinese engineers.
We Americans are letting this travesty happen. Isn't Boyne Mountain (corporation) Canadian?

[Peter]

Re-splice was going on today in Green Valley. Some of the cabins were parked at the bottom. I'm not sure if they finished today or not; they had a lot left to do at around noon.

On another note, sometimes I wonder about Crystal's risk management. At some point mid-day they realized they needed sawhorses for the splicing so they decided to use the metal lift line gates from Rex. The lifties undid the maze on one of the busiest days of the year and sent a dozen or so gates up Rex with the restraining bars down. I was right behind these chairs and as I rode up, 4 of them fell off onto the open runs below. Unsecured metal gates with spikes falling from the air but luckily no one was below. The worst part was that one of the lifties was going to tie them down but a bunch of people in the (very long) lift line were heckling him to speed up so he gave up on securing them.

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[Lavalamp]

The load test is occurring today, and the gondola should open tomorrow.

[Splicer]

A quick note to everyone: Original splice was performed at the bottom due to reel placement (no choice) The lift profile was terrible (in a hole requiring pulling the rope down; the more you pull down, the more carriage loss occurs when the lift is de-rigged) The rope was removed from 7 towers to help counter this. We knew it would be impossible to have the carriage end up near the front. In addition, the lift only had 2.5 meters of tension carriage (due to space limitations at the top and at the bottom (also $$). The rope chosen (not my choice) had an old style polypropylene core which is prone to stretch. We shortened the rope 15 ft. I'm sure an additional re-splice will become necessary after some cycle time is placed on the rope. We re-spliced up on Iceberg Ridge where the profile was better. Everyone involved with the rigging and splicing, I commend, as the weather was awful but they hung in there and the last tuck was done in the dark.

[Kicking Horse]

Splicer, on 02 January 2011 - 10:16 AM, said:

A quick note to everyone: Original splice was performed at the bottom due to reel placement (no choice) The lift profile was terrible (in a hole requiring pulling the rope down; the more you pull down, the more carriage loss occurs when the lift is de-rigged) The rope was removed from 7 towers to help counter this. We knew it would be impossible to have the carriage end up near the front. In addition, the lift only had 2.5 meters of tension carriage (due to space limitations at the top and at the bottom (also $). The rope chosen (not my choice) had an old style polypropylene core which is prone to stretch. We shortened the rope 15 ft. I'm sure an additional re-splice will become necessary after some cycle time is placed on the rope. We re-spliced up on Iceberg Ridge where the profile was better. Everyone involved with the rigging and splicing, I commend, as the weather was awful but they hung in there and the last tuck was done in the dark.

Thanks for taking the time to explain this.

[Crystal Coach]

I watched you guys out there in the weather. Man, that looked rough. A Poly core for a rope like that- wow, poly stretches a lot over time. I used to rig sailboats and poly was a very low-end material.

I rode the Gondola on Saturday- it is really nice, and so quiet. All those new shieves (sp?) still unworn... or is there something more involved that contributes to such quiet cabins?

[liftmech]

That's it, plus everything is newly bolted and hasn't gotten worn enough to creak. (and it's 'sheaves')

I didn't realise the rope had a poly core in it. Pa mentioned that it has a different material, but I assumed it was some newer core I hadn't seen. That explains why the rope was cheaper.

[liftmech]

Skier, on 28 December 2010 - 06:15 PM, said:

Re-splice was going on today in Green Valley. Some of the cabins were parked at the bottom. I'm not sure if they finished today or not; they had a lot left to do at around noon.

On another note, sometimes I wonder about Crystal's risk management. At some point mid-day they realized they needed sawhorses for the splicing so they decided to use the metal lift line gates from Rex. The lifties undid the maze on one of the busiest days of the year and sent a dozen or so gates up Rex with the restraining bars down. I was right behind these chairs and as I rode up, 4 of them fell off onto the open runs below. Unsecured metal gates with spikes falling from the air but luckily no one was below. The worst part was that one of the lifties was going to tie them down but a bunch of people in the (very long) lift line were heckling him to speed up so he gave up on securing them.

That sucks. That maze has been a vortex of poor skier behaviour since the lift opened. Sad to see it hasn't improved any. They (the skiers/riders in line) only see the line they want on the frontside and don't think of anyone else. I was yelled at many times when I couldn't open it due to patrol finishing up their control work.

As for risk management, I wouldn't blame them. You described the problem already.

[Peter]

Crystal has posted the Spring/Summer gondola schedule.

Quote

Spring Skiing April 21 until May 31 (Thursday-Sunday)
As long as conditions allow – stay tuned for details!

Gondola open April 21-June 12 (Thursday-Sunday)
Gondola Hours: 8:30am-3:00pm
Last upload 2:30 p.m.
Last download 3:30 p.m.
Summer Season:

Gondola open June 16-September 11 (7 days a week)
Gondola Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Last upload 4 p.m.
Last download 4:30 p.m.
Fall Season:

Gondola open Sept 16-October 2 (Saturday & Sunday)
Gondola Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Last upload 4 p.m.
Last download 4:30 p.m

[OnPiste]

Looks like they gave up on sunset dinners in the summit restaurant.

[Peter]

OnPiste, on 15 February 2011 - 08:28 PM, said:

Looks like they gave up on sunset dinners in the summit restaurant.

Nope they're still doing those, they're just listed on a separate page.

Quote

July 1 & 2
Saturday 7:30 p.m.

July 7 to July 23
Fridays 7:30 p.m.
Saturdays 6:00 p.m. & 8:30 p.m.

July 28 to August 13
Fridays 7 p.m.
Saturdays 5:30 p.m. & 8 p.m.

August 18 to August 27
Fridays 6:30 p.m.
Saturdays 5 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.

September 2 to October 1
Friday & Saturday 6 p.m.

[Peter]

6 more cabins are being added on Wednesday, bringing the total to 23. That translates to 650 skiers per hour.

[liftmech]

Many millions for 650 an hour. I've seen carpets that do better. Proof that this is for bragging rights only.

[lastchair_44]

Our Tram moves 650 people per hour!

[Peter]

John, have you ridden the gondy yet? No doubt it was pricey but it is very convenient and cool. It may even pay for itself with all the sightseers, spring skiers, mountain bikers, diners, etc.

[liftmech]

I haven't. Don't get me wrong, I do think it's pretty neat. Where I really think it will show its worth is in the summer. When we ran Midway and Rex, people would freak out when they got off Midway and found they had a whole 'nother lift to ride. (Only some, though; many thought they were getting a good deal with two lift rides.) One single lift from base to summit will be a sightseeing and tourist draw for sure. I think you're right.

[Peter]

Some tidbits from this article: http://www.firsttrac...ntain-upgrades/

- Crystal has ordered 5 new cabins, which will bring the total to 27 in early spring

- About 50,000 people rode the gondola this summer

- New snowmaking at the summit and in Green Valley

- Terrain in Northway will be groomed nightly

[liftmech]

50,000? That's not bad. I doubt we ever drew that many in the 80s and 90s. My aunt hadn't been up there in the summer at all, but went this year because she figured the gondola was a better ride.