Hunter Quad West SIde Replacement

Looks like they are preparing for replacing Y lift with a fixed grip quad in the near future. Take a look at the picture.

Well if it means more snowmaking back there....then its a good thing...otherwise kind of a waste. But I'm all for any improvements.

kingslug said:

Well if it means more snowmaking back there....then its a good thing...otherwise kind of a waste. But I'm all for any improvements.

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They aren't making it public for whatever reason, but they applied for, and appear to have or be getting permission to build a 20 million gallon water reservoir drawing from the schoharie creek, at a location on the West Side. Looks like more snowmaking for the West Side.

Proof here: http://www.dec.ny.gov/enb/57946.html

Better happen soon... Reports are that the quad is finishing being evac'd even as I post..
Something about a part that they actually had refurbished by Poma failing... It's ugly... But not actually Hunter's fault.. They actually were proactive with this part...

Bummer...

BUt I'm pretty sure they realize they need to deal with this Quad thing pronto.... Attendance is down..
People are pissed...

dmc said:

BUt I'm pretty sure they realize they need to deal with this Quad thing pronto.... Attendance is down..
People are pissed...

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Not going to lie here...I've started checking the reports very carefully before coming up because of the quad. Like it or not, B>F or D>F makes the ride to the top about twice as long.

Also, personal opinion, but....the West Side lifts don't look like they're in any danger of collapsing in the next year (and on the same note, repairing a double chair/overhauling it, is generally a lot cheaper than it is for a HSQ), I'd go for the main quad replacement before the West Side replacement.

If I were a betting man - I'd lay some $ down on some sort of announcement to try to calm the storm. Assuming there is some sort of truth to the new quad rumors..

Why not? What do they have to lose at this point..

Little confused having never skied Hunter. What does 180s picture show that is compelling? Is it a new lift line cut below the base of a current lift?

If they replaced this west side lift next summer, but not the HSQ; wouldn't that open the mountain to a tremendous amount of criticism?

deadheadskier said:

Little confused having never skied Hunter. What does 180s picture show that is compelling? Is it a new lift line cut below the base of a current lift?

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Yes. The current Y lift, is not easily accessible from some of the trails over there, extending the liftline solved the problem because then the lift base will be low enough to let all the trails go into it. They obviously aren't extending a 40 year old double chair, so the only plausible reason for cutting there in a perfectly lined up way with the current Y liftline, is to put in a new lift.

If they replaced this west side lift next summer, but not the HSQ; wouldn't that open the mountain to a tremendous amount of criticism?

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Yes. On the other hand, everyone would probably drop the criticism if they just made an announcement stating: New West Side lift this summer, the quad is getting replaced next summer. It's just that Hunter hasn't given any sort of timetable for replacing the quad, they just keep "fixing", and "overhauling" the lift, yet it keeps breaking more, that is part of why people are getting pissed off. So far this season, I know of at least 3 or 4 major stoppages on that lift....in a month of being open.

My Son Shea made a new facebook group:
Replacement of AA Quad or replacement of Y lift for X Quad at Hunter Mtn

http://www.facebook.com/inbox/?ref=mb#/group.php?gid=219571994473

I wonder if they would replace the AA with a new HSQ and then have the old Quad completely overhauled and reinstalled on the Westside. It seems like a complete waste of a lift if they just tore it down.

Would it be hard to convert it to a fixed grip?
the older POMA HSQ's had the chair-detach unit and the main drive separate from one another, so I wonder if they could just bring over the main drive, and install a new return wheel at the top, recondition and reuse the towers.

Take it from someone who was stuck on the quad for more than 2 hours this morning, if they dont announce new lifts, they wont be able to control the damage! I went down and let management have it. I am tired enough of getting stuck on the quad, but when I have to get evac'd, thats enough! Heard the part was being driven down from New Hampshire with POMA. I dont like being on lifts that move backwards twice for 20 or so feet. Was getting ready to jump if it took off backwards. I was near the top of bleaker....not to high. Lifts that runaway backwards can kill!!!:uzi::uzi::uzi:

end of Rant...