Most Disliked Lifts

[manhattanskier]

The Slowdon Quad at Killington. I want to die when I am on it.

That is why it is next to go, FINALLY...

 

[manhattanskier]

I've had the pleasure of riding the side by side single & double at Stowe, both of Killington Peaks doubles. If you're talking about the old slow double on the bottom part of Gore I've done that to. Never rode the the single at Tremblant but have skied the mountain with the two old slow doubles you needed to take to get to the top. There was no direct lift to the top. Only places I remember handing out the wool poncho's was Stowe & MRG. I don't know why but skiing was more fun in those days. Maybe it was because of the old rear wheel drive cars we drove that fish tailed all over the road getting there.

In a way I loved the Killington double because when you got to the top, it was so dramatic, you felt like you were on top of the world and now it is your chance to ski down!

 

[steamboat1]

That is why it is next to go, FINALLY...

Not necessarily. Recently there has been talk about Killington buying a new/ used double chair to replace the South Ridge chair. The replacement or upgrade of the Snowdon chair seems to have been put on the back burner for now. They may be waiting to see how the development of the village progresses before changing the lift.

edit: They may have also decided to upgrade the existing Snowdon fixed grip quad to a HSQ instead of moving it over to South Ridge. It can be done. When Okemo first put in their South Ridge quad chair (I think that's the name?) it was a fixed grip chair. After one or two seasons they upgraded the chair to a HSQ using the same chairs. Besides new top & bottom terminals all that was needed was to attach new detachable mechanisms on the top of the existing chairs & change the sheeves on the existing lift towers. Kinda like what K did with the new Skye Peak HSQ although K did buy new chairs. The lift towers are the same ones used for the old Skye Peak fixed grip lift. Just a guess on my part but that may be the plan also.

 

[skifree]

The k chAir at killington was the slowest coldest lift ever invented. We used to first chair that thing and bitch the whole way up. So glad it's gone!!!

 

[steamboat1]

The k chAir at killington was the slowest coldest lift ever invented. We used to first chair that thing and bitch the whole way up. So glad it's gone!!!

I still give my vote to the old Big Spruce double chair at Stowe. Anyone familiar with that mountain knows how strong the winds can whip through the notch. The wind always seemed to be right in your face when riding that lift up the mountain. They still have the same wind problems today over at Spruce. Often the Spruce lifts are put on wind hold while the Mansfield gondola & Forerunner chair are still running with no problem.

 

[Domeskier]

I dislike most lifts. Any chance of persuading an east coast resort to install a funicular?

 

[canobie#1]

Not necessarily. Recently there has been talk about Killington buying a new/ used double chair to replace the South Ridge chair. The replacement or upgrade of the Snowdon chair seems to have been put on the back burner for now. They may be waiting to see how the development of the village progresses before changing the lift.

edit: They may have also decided to upgrade the existing Snowdon fixed grip quad to a HSQ instead of moving it over to South Ridge. It can be done. When Okemo first put in their South Ridge quad chair (I think that's the name?) it was a fixed grip chair. After one or two seasons they upgraded the chair to a HSQ using the same chairs. Besides new top & bottom terminals all that was needed was to attach new detachable mechanisms on the top of the existing chairs & change the sheeves on the existing lift towers. Kinda like what K did with the new Skye Peak HSQ although K did buy new chairs. The lift towers are the same ones used for the old Skye Peak fixed grip lift. Just a guess on my part but that may be the plan also.

South ridge doesn't need all that capacity. A double is the best option since it isn't a very busy spot.
My guess is they'll keep slowdon in storage until they need it for the connector.

 

[deadheadskier]

I still give my vote to the old Big Spruce double chair at Stowe. Anyone familiar with that mountain knows how strong the winds can whip through the notch. The wind always seemed to be right in your face when riding that lift up the mountain. They still have the same wind problems today over at Spruce. Often the Spruce lifts are put on wind hold while the Mansfield gondola & Forerunner chair are still running with no problem.

I didn't mind the Big Pig. When I lived in town, I'd start most of my ski days over there. Front row parking right next to the lift. Yes, it was cold and windy near the top, but the first three quarters of the ride were fairly sheltered. We'd hit that up first thing, ski the birthday bowls and then catch a ride back over on the Sterling lift. If the Smuggs lifties didn't ask for our one up voucher, we'd do a few laps of the Bday bowls before heading back to Mansfield. Miss those days

 

[mister moose]

The Slowdon Quad at Killington. I want to die when I am on it.

It's all of 9.5 minutes. Just curious, why is the Canyon Quad so much more acceptable?

 

[canobie#1]

Because it's a nicer ride up and it isn't a chair that Killington needs to rely on all the time. Slowdon will get ripped out soon, south ridge and snowdon express are the resorts next priorities.

 

[skiNEwhere]

I haven't been to K since 2009, but I've heard the snowdon quad thrown out quite a few times in this thread, but not the snowdon triple. I don't remember one being much faster than the other, so why so much hate and discontent for the quad? They appear to be almost identical in length and both are FG

Edit: The quad is 73 feet longer

 

[canobie#1]

The quad always stops multiple times throughout the ride up, I always get up faster with the triple.

 

[manhattanskier]

I think it also has to do with the Canyon Quad has very steep terrain so it is more gratifying. It is why people do not mind the fixed lifts at MRG you need the time off your legs.

Sent from my XT907 using AlpineZone mobile app

 

[steamboat1]

The instant gratification generation.

I happen to like old & slow.

 

[thetrailboss]

I used to hate the Skye Peak Quad because it was so slow...but the HSQ was a huge improvement there. I recall the Snowdon Quad being slow as well...and packed in pre-season skiing. It is quite an interesting Frankenlift.

I'd like so see Glades...err...North Ridge and Snowdon replaced with newer lifts. I know it is in the cards.

 

[canobie#1]

Don't hold your breath on North Ridge. It's not a long lift so it isn't a big priority right now. South Ridge, Connector, snowdon replacement and the village area are all far before a north ridge replacement.

 

[thetrailboss]

Don't hold your breath on North Ridge. It's not a long lift so it isn't a big priority right now. South Ridge, Connector, snowdon replacement and the village area are all far before a north ridge replacement.

Think so? Is that what you and your folks are hearing from the mountain?

I say North Ridge because it is pretty old. That must be what--over 30 years old now?

 

[canobie#1]

The main plan is to put in a double at south ridge and express quad at snowdon for the next project. Then off to complete the connector with pico. I am pretty sure the NR chair is in good condition so there isn't a reason to do it now.

 

[thetrailboss]

A double? Really? Sweet. I did not expect that from Killington.

 

[deadheadskier]

Then off to complete the connector with pico.

They've been saying this since they bought Pico. I'll believe it when I see it. Personally, I don't want to see it. I prefer Pico as it's own separate area.