The "Sugarbush Thread"

[Lotso]

So the net result will be that IKONers will get a $30 credit and Bobby will throw EPIC folks a free "I Love Epic" hat. Oh, and the lawyers will get paid.

This has the same chance of winning as the chance that GMX opens this week.

 

[urungus]

My guess is ellen will close completely early next year when they start removal of lift, similar to the amount of terrain they had to close when replacing HG.

They will follow their history and close early with no warning after selling spring pass

 

[Lotso]

They will follow their history and close early with no warning after selling spring pass

With ME closing the last weekend in March each year, I doubt the spring pass will be an issue. Just hope it happend.

For lift folks: Could the tower footings and other concrete be reused (ie- no new pours/delays/costs due to blasting and pouring)? Or is it SOP to start with all new if a lift/footings are that old? Obviously I am not a concrete expert, ad I have not read the application.

 

[Blurski]

There is erosion control set up. It’s on the downhill side (right side) visible on the right hand corner of the image. Sediment/dirt can’t erode up hill FFS.

Logic would tell you that, the VT EPSC regulations would tell you otherwise, no worries for me, not one of my projects.

 

[mikec142]

Sediment/dirt can’t erode up hill FFS.

Maybe if it tries harder...

 

[jimmywilson69]

With ME closing the last weekend in March each year, I doubt the spring pass will be an issue. Just hope it happend.

For lift folks: Could the tower footings and other concrete be reused (ie- no new pours/delays/costs due to blasting and pouring)? Or is it SOP to start with all new if a lift/footings are that old? Obviously I am not a concrete expert, ad I have not read the application.

new tower footings for sure then you dont have to worry about the footings rotting out in the future before the end of the lift life.

 

[fulgoreXC]

With ME closing the last weekend in March each year, I doubt the spring pass will be an issue. Just hope it happend.

For lift folks: Could the tower footings and other concrete be reused (ie- no new pours/delays/costs due to blasting and pouring)? Or is it SOP to start with all new if a lift/footings are that old? Obviously I am not a concrete expert, ad I have not read the application.

The concrete tower bases are beyond their design life. If you've ever seen them in the summer, you'd see the evidence of the severe environment they experience. So new bases will need to be cast. Reinforced concrete design philosophy has changed since that lift was installed so they will be a bit beefier with more reinforcing.

Regarding construction and material costs, in general the costs have increased significantly since the late teens. Mostly due to the escalation that occurred during COVID. The sharp spike that happened hasn't come down regardless on whether the market is trading higher or lower. $10M is a bargain when compared to the 6 for HG which was shorter and a fixed grip.

 

[crystalmountainskier]

The chairs are made in Thailand? Wow. I would have figured Europe or Utah.

Both Dopp and LPOA source their simpler chairs models from Asia. Premium/detachable/bubble styles come from Austria.

 

[HowieT2]

I might regret saying this on a particularly cold/windy day, but I'm fine with not having bubble chairs

 

[thetrailboss]

The concrete tower bases are beyond their design life. If you've ever seen them in the summer, you'd see the evidence of the severe environment they experience. So new bases will need to be cast. Reinforced concrete design philosophy has changed since that lift was installed so they will be a bit beefier with more reinforcing.

Regarding construction and material costs, in general the costs have increased significantly since the late teens. Mostly due to the escalation that occurred during COVID. The sharp spike that happened hasn't come down regardless on whether the market is trading higher or lower. $10M is a bargain when compared to the 6 for HG which was shorter and a fixed grip.

Yes, I imagine that 31 years of alpine environment, plus probably done "on the cheap" by LBO, might render them pretty much done.

 

[thetrailboss]

So assuming that the NRX is replaced, do any of you think it will result in an increase in traffic there? As in more than just a small bump from folks going for the novelty of the new lift?

 

[djd66]

So assuming that the NRX is replaced, do any of you think it will result in an increase in traffic there? As in more than just a small bump from folks going for the novelty of the new lift?

I do not expect to see any change in traffic (other than the first couple of weeks)

 

[sull1102]

I’d think if it’s just a regular good ol detach quad with no bells or whistles it won’t change anyone’s habits. Not much need for more than exactly that though, save the $$$ for the soon to come GMX replacement/rebuild. That would be a better candidate for something nice like a D Line 6 similar to Barker.

 

[vtski802]

Have any of the lift replacement announcements come directly from Sugarbush? Or was this all through liftblog?

 

[sull1102]

Just the ACT250 public records have come through for North Ridge

 

[Lotso]

I’d think if it’s just a regular good ol detach quad with no bells or whistles it won’t change anyone’s habits. Not much need for more than exactly that though, save the $$$ for the soon to come GMX replacement/rebuild. That would be a better candidate for something nice like a D Line 6 similar to Barker.

I don't see them going for an upgrade for GMX unless there is a sea change in their utilization of ME. Snowmaiking upgrades have helped a ton, but they still open it as late as possible and close by April, typically with excellent coverage. Having a 6-pack idle from April to the end of December would be a waste.

 

[vtski802]

Just the ACT250 public records have come through for North Ridge

So, yet again, poor/non-existent communication from Sugarbush. Consider me shocked!

 

[Newpylong]

I’d think if it’s just a regular good ol detach quad with no bells or whistles it won’t change anyone’s habits. Not much need for more than exactly that though, save the $$$ for the soon to come GMX replacement/rebuild. That would be a better candidate for something nice like a D Line 6 similar to Barker.

Again, there is no "soon to come" replacement or rebuild on GMX. It's not necessary, and that lift won't even show on any radar for replacement for 15 years.

 

[Hawk]

The concrete tower bases are beyond their design life. If you've ever seen them in the summer, you'd see the evidence of the severe environment they experience. So new bases will need to be cast. Reinforced concrete design philosophy has changed since that lift was installed so they will be a bit beefier with more reinforcing.

Regarding construction and material costs, in general the costs have increased significantly since the late teens. Mostly due to the escalation that occurred during COVID. The sharp spike that happened hasn't come down regardless on whether the market is trading higher or lower. $10M is a bargain when compared to the 6 for HG which was shorter and a fixed grip.

A couple of things here. The condition of the bases and lifespan have nothing to do with the need to replace them. The structural engineer for this work will review the load, lateral stresses, wind load, bolt pattern and overall design of the towers and terminals and design bases that work with the new lift design. He will have to sign off on them so I would imagine that it will be N+ a million for a safety factor. Structural engineers are conservative by nature. LOL

Construction costs have increased for many different reasons and it started before covid. Labor costs are up significantly because cost of living is up. Gas in general has been up and down but mostly up over the last 30 years. Materials and bulk goods are up for many different reasons. Some political like tariffs and the fact that the US as somewhat strained relations with many different countries right now. This all factors in. Also regulations, laws, insurance, safety and environmental have also greatly increased the cost of doing business over the last 30 years.

Building things is what I do and I can tell you all of this has taken the fun out of my profession. Time to retire.

 

[Hawk]

GMX blew a capacitor bank. It looks like the parts will be here soon but I doubt they will get it back up before closing weekend. I don't really know but maybe it will. I was under the impression that they will shake out the rest of the lingering issues and be up and running for next year. The is no plan an no need to replace that lift. I don't know why we are talking about that.