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VAIL SUCKS

deadheadskier

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Solitude Express is Okemo, not Snow.

Its okay. Its fairly unreasonable for us to expect Vail to be well versed about their East Coast assets.
 
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kbroderick

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What the heck is the "solitude express" at Mount Snow? I've got probably 1000 days on the hill at Mount Snow and never ridden that lift before 😉

100% agree that Vail, and many other resort operators have lots of lifts, both high speed and fixed grip, that are very likeky nearing the end of their predictable, functional lifespan and will need replacement sooner than later
As far as fixed-grip lifts go, I'm not convinced. Plenty of smaller, independent ski areas run chairs that are on the older side and manage to keep them in good repair.

Early generation detachables seem to be a bit more questionable. The technology wasn't mature, there are a lot more moving parts, and things have changed more rapidly, which I'd expect to adversely affect parts availability.

On the plus side, the worst of the early detachables are no longer operating in the US (or in most parts of the world).
 

2Planker

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As far as fixed-grip lifts go, I'm not convinced. Plenty of smaller, independent ski areas run chairs that are on the older side and manage to keep them in good repair.

Early generation detachables seem to be a bit more questionable. The technology wasn't mature, there are a lot more moving parts, and things have changed more rapidly, which I'd expect to adversely affect parts availability.

On the plus side, the worst of the early detachables are no longer operating in the US (or in most parts of the world).
The infamous 1988 Yan/Poma Cannibalized Barker Quad still lives on at Pleasant Mt (Shawnee Peak)
 

Zand

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I believe the only 4 Yan converts left in New England are Snowshed at K, both HSQs at Pico, and Grand Summit at Mount Snow. Showshed and Pico summit are the only two left with the old chairs.
 

kbroderick

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I believe the only 4 Yan converts left in New England are Snowshed at K, both HSQs at Pico, and Grand Summit at Mount Snow. Showshed and Pico summit are the only two left with the old chairs.
And none of those are as ornery as the Barker conversion was, correct?

But more to the point, there are zero Yan detachable mechanisms in use in the US, and either zero or close to it worldwide. That one did not stand the test of time.
 

machski

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And none of those are as ornery as the Barker conversion was, correct?

But more to the point, there are zero Yan detachable mechanisms in use in the US, and either zero or close to it worldwide. That one did not stand the test of time.
No, they all have had Poma conversions. Barker and SS originally had the most extensive conversions, including having the terminal skins switched out to Poma skins and full on Poma chairs (albeit with specialized hangars to match the terminal skeleton heights). I think over the years, Grand Summit at Mount Snow has had more and more conversins including adding a loading carpet I believe. But at the core of the structures, it is still Yan and things like tensioning systems, etc, are Yan specific on all of them. Thus, those parts wear out, they are not availabe off the shelf and have to be fabricated on request.

I should note that is for the old Yan Detaches in the East. Out west, most were converted by Dopp and those seem to have ghad far fewer issues than the Poma conversions out east. At that time, Garaventa was still separate from Dopp and they did a few conversions out west as well. Carpenter Express at DV comes to mind.
 

thetrailboss

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L

wildcat rope and chairs were replaced a few years ago

And I believe they have also incrementally replaced the terminal gear as well.

"That's right. Be grateful during this season of giving!"

58d2f4470ebee.image.jpg
 

thetrailboss

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Ole Bobby needs to maximize that bottom line so he and other major shareholders can maximize those stock values one last time. Ultimately, that is why he is back. New lifts won't help with that. We are in the light fuse and start to walk away moment in the story. This is about profit extraction over the short term, not what's best for a sustainable future for the company and it's properties.
"Maximizing revenue. That is a good idea! Did you all hear about my new Chief Revenue Officer? She used to work for Lululemon!"

katzvail.jpg



 

ctdubl07

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I still think Bobby’s going to start to shed all the Mickey Mouse hills that were bought along the way, mostly with Peaks.

Talk about aging infrastructures and likely needed investment mixed with ever worsening snow seasons and general operational expenses, manpower, etc. Deferred upkeep leads to longer term costs or safety liabilities. Just dump them to local investors for quick cash.

Pass sales are declining and the initial rational/thought/strategy these locals would feed trips out into the larger portfolio, is likely played out.
 
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