Iconic Chairlifts

[gmcunni]

I've ridden 2 of them, i didn't think there was anything special about the one at Stowe.

http://unofficialnetworks.com/top-5-iconic-chairlifts-109286/

 

[ss20]

The FourRunner was the first HSQ in the east built by Doppelmayr in 1986. It also serves some of the most extreme terrain in the east. I'd call that pretty impressive, but I don't think it should be on the list. Madonna 1 at Smuggler's should be on the list.

 

[ScottySkis]

2 chairs here, lol.

 

[Conrad]

Obviously biased towards the Americas. But definitely a good selection. The one chair I wouldn't include would be the Silverton one. If I were to add one that wasn't included, then I would add maybe Castlerock or Maradonna even though I have never ridden either of them. Maybe J1 at June (never been there).

 

[thetrailboss]

I've done three. KT-22 is always on these lists and I agree....it is a quick ride and some killer terrain. Four-runner: that was the original liftline at Stowe with the old Single Chair. And it delivers a lot of vert for one ride...probably some of the most in the east. That one lift delivers a ton of terrain too, so I agree with it being on the list. Try to find another chairlift in the east, or even the west, that delivers as much vert in one ride. Some other ones that might be close include the Freezer, Peruvian at Snowbird, Wildcat's HSQ, and Collins at Alta.

 

[thetrailboss]

Obviously biased towards the Americas. But definitely a good selection. The one chair I wouldn't include would be the Silverton one. If I were to add one that wasn't included, then I would add maybe Castlerock or Maradonna even though I have never ridden either of them. Maybe J1 at June (never been there).

Castlerock is a fun ride. The original lift was particularly interesting...I rode it in its last season, but it was getting old and rough. Poma did a nice job with the new one.

 

[deadheadskier]

Wouldn't Aigulle du Midi top pretty much any list?

 

[thetrailboss]

Wouldn't Aigulle du Midi top pretty much any list?

It did last year for their "top ski lifts" article, but my sense was this one focused on just chairs....

 

[Conrad]

Wouldn't Aigulle du Midi top pretty much any list?

If you allow any old ski lift, then you would have to include many classic old gondolas in the east such as Sugarloaf's or Mount Snow's etc. I think most iconic cable cars is an entirely different category.

From Wikipedia

 

[thetrailboss]

If you allow any old ski lift, then you would have to include many classic old gondolas in the east such as Sugarloaf's or Mount Snow's etc. I think most iconic cable cars is an entirely different category.

From Wikipedia

Ah yes, Klein Matterhorn. Skied that in 2002. Neat ride for sure.

 

[x10003q]

In addition to those mentioned -
Sun Valley Challenger HSQ - 3241 vertical feet - might be the most vert on 1 chair in the US
Wildcat Quad
Whiteface Summit Quad
Hunter West Zephyr Express Quad - 1300 steep vertical feet in a 4 minute trip

 

[gmcunni]

i have an east coast bias and haven't been to many of the larger norther mountain but i'd say Magic Red Chair would be on my list of "iconic" chairs. a nice slow and low ride up with views of an great trail where you can see some excellent skiing/riding.

 

[Cannonball]

In addition to those mentioned -
Sun Valley Challenger HSQ - 3241 vertical feet - might be the most vert on 1 chair in the US
Wildcat Quad
Whiteface Summit Quad
Hunter West Zephyr Express Quad - 1300 steep vertical feet in a 4 minute trip

Curious why you feel the Wildcat HSQ is iconic? I think the old Gondolas were. But the HSQ seems like just another common, modern lift.

I guess I depart with the article's concept of "iconic". The Mad River Single is the only one that really seems to work for me. The others are "long", "scary", "access good terrain", "cool", but not really iconic. Not really something that you'd use as a logo, poster, um....icon to define a place.

 

[C-Rex]

It might be too new to be considered iconic but the Peak to Peak gondola at Whistler/Blackcomb is pretty unique. I'd add that to the list.

 

[snowmonster]

List seems to be limited to chairlifts so no gondolas or trams. Otherwise, the Jackson Hole tram was a glaring omission. Glad to say I've ridden three of these -- FourRunner, Single Chair and Peak Chair.

To this list I would add:

Collins Lift - Alta
Pallaviccini Chair - A Basin
GM Flyer- Jay Peak

 

[steamboat1]

Does Gore Mtn. still have the detachable triple? Only one I've ever seen.

 

[Cannonball]

It might be too new to be considered iconic but the Peak to Peak gondola at Whistler/Blackcomb is pretty unique. I'd add that to the list.

I agree with "unique" but not iconic.

Can we get a list going of ironic ​chairlifts?

 

[x10003q]

Does Gore Mtn. still have the detachable triple? Only one I've ever seen.

Yes. Still operating after being installed in around 1984.

 

[MadPatSki]

List seems to be limited to chairlifts so no gondolas or trams.

The story says iconic chairlifts, so yeah, limited to chairlifts.

I would agree that it would seem to be limited to the Western Hemisphere as I didn't see any lifts from Europe make that list. However the iconic lifts in Europe would always seem to be Trams...at least. those are the ones I remember.

Glad to say I've ridden three of these -- FourRunner, Single Chair and Peak Chair.

I've ridden the Peak (Freak) in 1996 prior to it being upgraded to a Quad. So if I count that one, my count would be 5. Marte, Chair 23, Single, FourRunner and the Freak. Marte outfreaks the Peak Chair at Whistler.

 

[bvibert]

I guess I depart with the article's concept of "iconic". The Mad River Single is the only one that really seems to work for me. The others are "long", "scary", "access good terrain", "cool", but not really iconic. Not really something that you'd use as a logo, poster, um....icon to define a place.

I was thinking the same thing. The article has more to do with the terrain served by a lift than the lift itself.