311 replies to this topic

[MNSkier]

Lift Kid, on 02 April 2013 - 04:14 AM, said:

Lutsen is expecting a new high speed quad this summer. Word came from the CEO recently. It will be an LPOA HSQ running where the current Caribou Chair runs. There is some foreseeable doubt that it will happen this year, although it's been discussed all winter and seems to be getting more likely with each week.

Lutsen will have lots of construction going on this summer, including a complete mountain run-off and water management overhaul. Stay tuned.

This is really good news, hopefully it holds true..... I am pleasantly surprised that they are going to replace Caribou, I always thought they would replace the Bull chair first so they could "showcase" it with the new Chalet. The upgrade for Caribou has been needed for a long time and that will be a great improvement for Moose Mountain.

[skier2]

The foundations of at least half the towers on Caribou are eroding so severely that a great deal of rebar is visible. Caribou is also much longer than Bull, and has at least 50 feet more vertical rise. Though I can't find specific vertical statistics that compare the two lifts, I know that Caribou is around 800' vertical because the FIS Giant Slalom course which starts roughly 25 feet above the lift has a vertical of ~825 feet. I also used Google Earth to guesstimate the lengths of the lifts, and Caribou measures 3586 feet, while Bull only runs 2800 feet. Importantly, the Caribou lift accesses the entire mountain, whereas Bull does not. It would be nice if they cut a crossover trail near the bottom of Bull Run just before the last pitch so that the new chair will be easily accessible from the Bull side of Moose Mountain as the ride time on the new lift will surely be much shorter and the lift of much higher capacity. It also wouldn't be a bad idea if they used the former Caribou's terminals to replace the terminals on the Bull Chair since they are newer and the Bull chair has that old floating bullwheel.

[Lift Kid]

skier2, on 02 April 2013 - 12:34 PM, said:

The foundations of at least half the towers on Caribou are eroding so severely that a great deal of rebar is visible. Caribou is also much longer than Bull, and has at least 50 feet more vertical rise. Though I can't find specific vertical statistics that compare the two lifts, I know that Caribou is around 800' vertical because the FIS Giant Slalom course which starts roughly 25 feet above the lift has a vertical of ~825 feet. I also used Google Earth to guesstimate the lengths of the lifts, and Caribou measures 3586 feet, while Bull only runs 2800 feet. Importantly, the Caribou lift accesses the entire mountain, whereas Bull does not. It would be nice if they cut a crossover trail near the bottom of Bull Run just before the last pitch so that the new chair will be easily accessible from the Bull side of Moose Mountain as the ride time on the new lift will surely be much shorter and the lift of much higher capacity. It also wouldn't be a bad idea if they used the former Caribou's terminals to replace the terminals on the Bull Chair since they are newer and the Bull chair has that old floating bullwheel.

Bull chair does not have a floating bullwheel. It has a three-leg Yan return at the top with a counterweight. (identical to the loading terminal on Caribou and approximately the same vintage) The drive on Bull is a different story, as it is a combination of a few lifts with some customization. The Caribou lift and many components from Bull are likely the same vintage too. Caribou is a reincarnation of one (or more) of the mid-seventies vintage Yan's from Vail. I theorize that much of Bull lift also came from Vail. I think Lutsen purchased components from multiple Vail Yan's and put them together to make 2 lifts, along with some other components from the boneyard. I am not positive about this theory, but it seems rather plausible.

Don't expect any components from Caribou to end up on Bull. Rather, the talk has been that Caribou will be in the boneyard for a few seasons and will eventually be a part of the expansion plans for Lutsen. Again, this is all contingent on Lutsen actually replacing the Caribou lift this summer. I'll believe it once Leitner-Poma has begun the manufacturing.

On another note, the bonding bill to fund Lutsen's water pipe from Lake Superior passed and we'll likely be seeing pipeline construction and snowmaking system upgrades soon.

[skier2]

Oh, for some reason I thought for sure the top was a floater. Hmm. Regarding your theory about the origin of the chairs, I believe you are correct.

Were Lutsen to expand, where would the new lift go? Backside of Moose?

[skier2]

Also, where did you hear this news from?

[Lift Kid]

skier2, on 02 April 2013 - 01:48 PM, said:

Also, where did you hear this news from?

This came from a staff meeting. It's been discussed all season at meetings. You can probably expect a more formal announcement (if it happens) in the future.

In regards to possible expansion, I am unclear as to where exactly it would be. I've heard some rumors of the Backside of Moose. However, that backside is quite steep and, in some spots, unskiable. Hopefully Lutsen will announce an updated master plan in the next few years.

Keep an eye on Lutsen over the next few years, as upgrades and expansions are likely. Granite Peak, under the same ownership, has completed most of their large improvement projects. The recent talk has been that Lutsen is likely to start seeing big improvement projects as less money will be spent at Granite.

As with all ski area improvement projects, "I'll believe it when I ski it!"

[skier2]

Lift Kid, on 03 April 2013 - 04:09 AM, said:

This came from a staff meeting. It's been discussed all season at meetings. You can probably expect a more formal announcement (if it happens) in the future.

In regards to possible expansion, I am unclear as to where exactly it would be. I've heard some rumors of the Backside of Moose. However, that backside is quite steep and, in some spots, unskiable. Hopefully Lutsen will announce an updated master plan in the next few years.

Keep an eye on Lutsen over the next few years, as upgrades and expansions are likely. Granite Peak, under the same ownership, has completed most of their large improvement projects. The recent talk has been that Lutsen is likely to start seeing big improvement projects as less money will be spent at Granite.

As with all ski area improvement projects, "I'll believe it when I ski it!"

Lift Kid, on 03 April 2013 - 04:09 AM, said:

This came from a staff meeting. It's been discussed all season at meetings. You can probably expect a more formal announcement (if it happens) in the future.

In regards to possible expansion, I am unclear as to where exactly it would be. I've heard some rumors of the Backside of Moose. However, that backside is quite steep and, in some spots, unskiable. Hopefully Lutsen will announce an updated master plan in the next few years.

Keep an eye on Lutsen over the next few years, as upgrades and expansions are likely. Granite Peak, under the same ownership, has completed most of their large improvement projects. The recent talk has been that Lutsen is likely to start seeing big improvement projects as less money will be spent at Granite.

As with all ski area improvement projects, "I'll believe it when I ski it!"

It's about time they put the capital into Lutsen that it deserves! With expanded terrain, improved skiing infrastructure, and a larger pedestrian village, it could really be a destination!

[skier2]

Also, I've been looking at Lutsen's terrain for a long time, and what I really think would be nice would be if somehow the trails on the south side of Eagle (Mogen, Bridge Run, Dipsy Doodle) were extended and made into long, beginner and low intermediate cruisers heading straight toward the lake down the shallow-pitched south/southeast side of the mountain (think Bachelor Gulch at Beaver Creek). These trails could potentially access several of the current lodging options (Mountain Inn, Caribou Highlands across the street) and also form the perfect area to construct a new base village. I think that if this area were expanded and a higher-capacity lift installed, it would really form a great new promenade/central feature and the resort would be much more beginner-friendly. I realize that there are a few houses below Bridge Run, but I think these could be incorporated into the design.

As it stands, it's a shame that there isn't any dedicated beginner terrain on Moose that runs from summit to base, and Eagle is virtually the same way. Ullr is a nice feature, but it's short and even beginners would appreciate an expanded learning/slow skiing area as the rest of the resort has so much vertical. Mystery is mostly high beginner and low intermediate terrain, but because of its steep lower pitch compared to its relatively flat upper flank, it isn't particularly friendly to either skiers or boarders, and it really should either have its trails widened and re-graded, or should just be abandoned altogether. I also think that, in light of the river restoration project and the Tenth Mountain Chair, the old Eagle Mountain chair should be removed and sold as scrap. Brule Run has always suffered from erosion issues and it is virtually the only run serviced by Eagle Chair but not accessible by the other two chairs on the mountain. I would hardly see it as a loss.

[jaytrem]

Mohawk in CT has already started work on the replacement of their Arrowhead lift with a triple. Some pics on their website...

http://www.mohawkmtn.com/

This post has been edited by jaytrem: 08 April 2013 - 04:58 AM

[yan lover14]

jaytrem, on 08 April 2013 - 04:58 AM, said:

Mohawk in CT has already started work on the replacement of their Arrowhead lift with a triple. Some pics on their website...

http://www.mohawkmtn.com/

Yes, and I've heard it will have refurbished parts from the old ForRunner Quad at Stowe. I saw the "new" sheave trains near the maintenance shed on closing day, and they looked newer than 86' to me, but what do I know!? Sad to see another C&S lift go. They better not replace their Hall triple.

[Lift Kid]

Lift Kid, on 02 April 2013 - 04:14 AM, said:

Lutsen is expecting a new high speed quad this summer. Word came from the CEO recently. It will be an LPOA HSQ running where the current Caribou Chair runs. There is some foreseeable doubt that it will happen this year, although it's been discussed all winter and seems to be getting more likely with each week.

Lutsen will have lots of construction going on this summer, including a complete mountain run-off and water management overhaul. Stay tuned.

Correction: It sounds like the new lift will likely be a six-pack.

[skier691]

skier2, on 03 April 2013 - 05:44 AM, said:

It's about time they put the capital into Lutsen that it deserves! With expanded terrain, improved skiing infrastructure, and a larger pedestrian village, it could really be a destination!

A new HS lift on Moose would be excellent, but I love the old Lutsen too.....I remember the Eagle Mtn Hoo-Koo T-Bar, the Moose Mtn Poma platter, the 'Moose-a-saurus" bus that ran between Moose and the Brigde Chair, the year the 'Loon' Gondola and Moose Meadows Lift (Caribou) opened-(which if the foundations are bad----best find better concrete), 'expensive' $32 lift tickets.... Lutsen was my families Colorado.

Lift Kid, on 03 April 2013 - 04:09 AM, said:

Keep an eye on Lutsen over the next few years, as upgrades and expansions are likely. Granite Peak, under the same ownership, has completed most of their large improvement projects. The recent talk has been that Lutsen is likely to start seeing big improvement projects as less money will be spent at Granite.

I was at Granite Peak this past week and there was' talk' of a HS replacement of the east side Cupid lift in the next 2-3 years, making Granite essentially 100% HS lift served---the marketing possibilities and continued 'market takeover' looks to continue there. Not nearly as big or the same 'feel' as Lutsen, but when Granite is 2.5 hrs from Mpls and about the same from Madison/Chicago, I can see why money was spent first there. They have done a nice job turning Granite around, it appeared very nice. Lutsen and the benefits a new HSS would add to Moose would be added reason to make the effort to head farther north. ($139 season passes at Spirit Mtn has got to hurt a bit.) It sounded like a big pipline project from Lake Superior was going to increase snowmaking too.

This post has been edited by skier691: 09 April 2013 - 05:49 AM

[skier2]

I'm just waiting on the official word now...so exciting!!

[from_the_nek]

This past weekend, Jay Peak officially retired the Stateside lodge and the Bonaventure Quad (originally built by Doppelmayr in 1987). Deconstruction of the quad is starting in preparation for the new Doppelmayr HS6. It remains to be seen if the old quad actually gets reused somewhere else on the mountain (or at Burke Mtn).
The revisions required for the lift plan to pass state regulations included the control hut being moved inside the chair storage building to reduce impermeable surface run-off. They also had to reconfigure a few lift tower positions to keep them further away from streams. Details here: http://www.anr.state...tal-3-22-13.pdf


The new line is in Purple. The Bonaventure line being removed nearly parallels it. You can see the current line going throught the future chair storage building (green) and into the new lodge. They plan on having the new lift and lodge open by Christmas this year.

[SuperRat]

NEK,

any confirmation Jay has signed off on the HS6?

[from_the_nek]

I'm haven't heard if they have actually signed anything yet. However, I'm assuming they have since this lift has been on the drawing board for a couple of years. The tight timeline to get everything built and operational on that side of the mountain by next ski season would make it highly unlikely they would have waited this long to buy the lift.

[Peter]

Alyeska is replacing the Spirit of Alyeska high speed quad (1988 Doppelmayr) with a new Doppelmayr detachable quad.

http://www.adn.com/2...-for-april.html

[boardski]

This just in-- on their facebook page and probably none of it will happen in 13 but Loveland has unveilded their master plan. http://www.skilovela...masterplan.aspx Highlights include 2 new triple chairs #10 serving the steeps above lift #8, #11 Another lift on the bunny slope at the Valley and a surface lift improving access to runs on skiers right of lift #9. Other highlights: restoring #5 back to service between basin and valley, replacement of #2 by splitting the lift into two lifts, a lower and an upper and expansion of the Basin lodge. Good stuff!

This post has been edited by boardski: 10 April 2013 - 05:00 PM

[Peter]

Camden Snowbowl on the Maine coast bought the Riblet triple that Shawnee Peak removed in 2010 and is planning on reinstalling it. The Snowbowl is owned by the Town of Camden. The following article explains how local architect thinks it is a bad idea to reinstall a 30 year old Riblet rather than buy a new Doppelmayr Eco lift.

If you have some time, this is probably the most detailed and factually accurate lift-related article I have read in awhile.

http://www.penbaypil...aul-ropes/12408

Smith's original letter and one from Doppelmayr USA to the Town of Camden: http://www.penbaypil...%28Smith%29.pdf

[trooper1556]

boardski, on 10 April 2013 - 05:00 PM, said:

This just in-- on their facebook page and probably none of it will happen in 13 but Loveland has unveilded their master plan. http://www.skilovela...masterplan.aspx Highlights include 2 new triple chairs #10 serving the steeps above lift #8, #11 Another lift on the bunny slope at the Valley and a surface lift improving access to runs on skiers right of lift #9. Other highlights: restoring #5 back to service between basin and valley, replacement of #2 by splitting the lift into two lifts, a lower and an upper and expansion of the Basin lodge. Good stuff!

sounds good! the link doesnt work - clicking through the site to get there does though

This post has been edited by trooper1556: 11 April 2013 - 09:36 AM