Sunday River "Chondola"

[Greg]

http://news.alpinezone.com/26031/

 

[drjeff]

We have a new leader in the "marketing buzz for next season" category now

 

[loafer89]

It sounds interesting, though I would rather see money spent on a HSQ for Aurora Peak.

I skied on a Chondola at Mount Orford in 2003, the year they installed it I believe.

 

[loafer89]

I am guessing that money spent on Sunday River means that Sugarloaf gets the cold shoulder for any major improvements next year?

 

[wa-loaf]

I don't get the purpose of a chondola. What's the point of sticking a gondola in here and there on a chairlift. Do you have to form two lines? Or do people hold up the whole line waiting for the gondola? Seems kinda wacky to me, although not as wacky as one of those cabrio lifts.

 

[wa-loaf]

I am guessing that money spent on Sunday River means that Sugarloaf gets the cold shoulder for any major improvements next year?

Sort of, I think they want to replace the double runner and spillway chairs, but just don't have a good idea of how or where they want to place a new lift. They wanted to use this year to observe skier flow and are probably planning the placement now. Won't get anything for next season though.

 

[drjeff]

I am guessing that money spent on Sunday River means that Sugarloaf gets the cold shoulder for any major improvements next year?

Atleast with the loaf, it's years under ASC management has it well versed in being the "neglected step child"

 

[Vortex]

Alot of ll this is common info. It has been in the bethel citizen before.(local paper)

The loaf is getting big snowmaking upgrades this year. Frank from the Sugarloaf marketing Dept has been posting the plans for them on the un-official loaf board.

Boyne has taken a very active role in speaking directly to the community. Ak and Dana have been very active on the river board as well. Talking to us answering questions, Meeting us face to face.

Sk had posted here and on the river and loaf board as well. Ak is here quite often as well.


SR gets the lift. I'm glad to see the lift. Yes it benefis me. Be great to get out of south ridge in one run. Look for stuff going on at night at the np lodge next year. South ridge will become the hub. The info on the paths was new to me. Very cool

 

[deadheadskier]

I don't get the purpose of a chondola. What's the point of sticking a gondola in here and there on a chairlift. Do you have to form two lines? Or do people hold up the whole line waiting for the gondola? Seems kinda wacky to me, although not as wacky as one of those cabrio lifts.

I believe the intent is to expand their dining services at the North Peak lodge and offer night skiing there. The Gondola is a more comfortable means of transport for mom and dad to get a bite to eat while junior night skis

 

[Vortex]

I don't get the purpose of a chondola. What's the point of sticking a gondola in here and there on a chairlift. Do you have to form two lines? Or do people hold up the whole line waiting for the gondola? Seems kinda wacky to me, although not as wacky as one of those cabrio lifts.

Its to allow people who don't ski acces to the top ie dinner at night.. It also allows changes from chair to gondola as needed. Might be nice on a cold day as well. Some do have 2 lines..

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

Mad Steezy yo...so some chairs and some gondola cabins??? I'd ride the chairs on warm days and in the Ganjala on cold days..

 

[wa-loaf]

Its to allow people who don't ski acces to the top ie dinner at night.. It also allows changes from chair to gondola as needed. Might be nice on a cold day as well. Some do have 2 lines..

Can they load a gondola or chair anytime they want. I understood there was a certain spacing 3-4 chairs or so and then one gondola. So have to wait for the gondola. I suppose on a cold day the line for the chairs would be nice and quick. Or am I wrong and they can just decide to run all gondolas on a particular day?

 

[ctenidae]

I wish places had the covered chairs you see everywhere in Europe. On a windy day, it's nice to be able to close the hatch.

 

[Vortex]

let me look for the old article. I'll try and re-post it. The answer is yes though.

 

[deadheadskier]

Wouldn't Wildcat's lift technically be a chondola as well even though they don't use the cabins in winter?

 

[loafer89]

Atleast with the loaf, it's years under ASC management has it well versed in being the "neglected step child"

I'm telling you that how I feel sometimes.

Snowmaking upgrades are fine and dandy, but we need a mid mountain lift, be it a gondola, chairlift, t-bar, rope tow or circus cannon.

 

[loafer89]

Can they load a gondola or chair anytime they want. I understood there was a certain spacing 3-4 chairs or so and then one gondola. So have to wait for the gondola. I suppose on a cold day the line for the chairs would be nice and quick. Or am I wrong and they can just decide to run all gondolas on a particular day?

The spacing at Mount Orford was like 4-5 chairs per gondola cabin. We skied there when it was -25F and nobody was crazy enough to ride the chair option.

 

[Vortex]

Can they load a gondola or chair anytime they want. I understood there was a certain spacing 3-4 chairs or so and then one gondola. So have to wait for the gondola. I suppose on a cold day the line for the chairs would be nice and quick. Or am I wrong and they can just decide to run all gondolas on a particular day?

there are a couple more, but this one kind of gets to it.





Sunday River Ski Resort will begin an application process to install a “chondola” on its slopes, General Manager Dana Bullen told Newry selectmen Monday.

A chondola is a high-speed, detachable chairlift that can have gondola cabins substituted for chairs, according to Alex Kaufman, Sunday River spokesman.

“Preliminary planning suggests the loading point at South Ridge and unloading at or near the summit of North Peak,” Kaufman said.

The gondola cabins can be used during the regular ski day or for special events and/or night use, he said.

Tying in with possible night use is a plan to propose “12-hour skiing,” Bullen said, ending at 9 p.m.

This past fall, the resort applied to the Newry Planning Board for night skiing on the Dreammaker, Escapade and Broadway trails, beginning this season.

But after the town received some informal negative feedback from condominium owners regarding the possible visual impact of lighted slopes, the skiway withdrew the application.

Skiway officials said they wanted to slow down the application process and make it more inclusive.

A 12-hour skiing format, said Kaufman, “would be in the same vicinity, but not necessarily on the same exact trails.

“In the long term we are looking to build an energy around South Ridge beyond the typical ski day. Any 12-hour skiing would be focused on the North Peak and South Ridge areas.

“The chondola would play a key role in building this energy and servicing night operations.”

Bullen said if all approvals are received, the chondola could be installed next summer.

He said a chondola at Sunday River would be the first in the Northeast.

Address change

Bullen also told selectmen that the skiway is in the process of changing its mailing address from Bethel to Newry.

“We’re proud to be part of the town,” he said.

Kaufman said the shift will take place over the next couple of months, but people sending mail to the resort do not have to be concerned about making changes until they receive formal notification.


© 2008 Bethel Citizen


I think this was from the 1st week in Jan.

 

[thetrailboss]

Does anyone have a picture of what one of these lifts look like???? I am a bit confused....it has both chairs and gondola cars?

 

[wa-loaf]

Does anyone have a picture of what one of these lifts look like???? I am a bit confused....it has both chairs and gondola cars?

Telluride's got one: http://www.telluride-rentals.com/chondola.htm

Here's some more: http://skilifts.org/images/resort_images/co-telluride/chondola/chondola.htm