Killllington 🎿🏂🏂🎿🎿🏂🏂🎿😀

[machski]

Holy crap! LiftBlog reporting Dopp will be building the replacement lift for the Snowdon Triple and total project cost to $7.04 Million! I hope there is a lot of land work in that cost, I mean it's a Fixed Grip chair going in!!

Again, this is the supposed all in project cost. I believe the bottom terminal is being re located so there may be a lot of earth work at the base depending on where the terminal will actually sit. I just looked through the post construction plans, there is no midstation in those plans. Appears it will be a top drive with full backup.

 

[bigbob]

Again, this is the supposed all in project cost. I believe the bottom terminal is being re located so there may be a lot of earth work at the base depending on where the terminal will actually sit. I just looked through the post construction plans, there is no midstation in those plans. Appears it will be a top drive with full backup.

So Killington annouced earlier that they will be spending a total of $24 million this upcoming construction season for a total of $60 million over 2 years. I wonder what other toys will be purchased for $16+ million. Perhaps a new Bear Lodge?

 

[doublediamond]

7.5 acres of Earthwork, mostly at the mid-station and a bunch at the summit. That’s a lot of land to move = $$$$$$$$$$$.

ETA: also the quad won’t have a mid-station.

 

[crystalmountainskier]

Stowe’s 6 pack Dop that is slightly longer than Superstar was 6m. What was that 4 years ago?

That was also purchased as part of a 21 lift RFP.

 

[doublediamond]

The new Snowdon quad will also have a full backup Genset like Superstar. Also $$$$$.

 

[bigbob]

I wonder if there is a second electric motor in case the primary motor goes out or is there a diesel backup engine located in the terminal similar to what has been normal in the past.

 

[drjeff]

I wonder if there is a second electric motor in case the primary motor goes out or is there a diesel backup engine located in the terminal similar to what has been normal in the past.

Many new(er) lifts have the electric motor as their primary drive and then 2 back up diesels. So in theory 1 diesel can operate the lift at, or very close to, full operating haul rope speed, and then have the 2nd diesel as a back up auxiliary, as I understand it

 

[cdskier]

I wonder if there is a second electric motor in case the primary motor goes out or is there a diesel backup engine located in the terminal similar to what has been normal in the past.

Well it just so happens that K is testing the backup on the new Superstar lift tomorrow. Here are some details they shared which should answer this question:

A quick heads-up for tomorrow:
On Wednesday, January 14th, the Superstar Six will be closed to allow for a scheduled load test of the new backup generator power system at the top drive terminal. This alternative diesel power source allows Superstar to continue operating at full speed and full capacity during a power outage or power fluctuations. Earlier this season, the lift itself was prioritized for opening before this system was fully ready for testing. This closure allows our teams to complete that final step and ensure reliable operations moving forward.

 

[bigbob]

Well it just so happens that K is testing the backup on the new Superstar lift tomorrow. Here are some details they shared which should answer this question:

A quick heads-up for tomorrow:
On Wednesday, January 14th, the Superstar Six will be closed to allow for a scheduled load test of the new backup generator power system at the top drive terminal. This alternative diesel power source allows Superstar to continue operating at full speed and full capacity during a power outage or power fluctuations. Earlier this season, the lift itself was prioritized for opening before this system was fully ready for testing. This closure allows our teams to complete that final step and ensure reliable operations moving forward.

They would not have been able to run the lift without a back up power already tested and running, so it leaves me to beleive there is another source of drive already up and running in the top terminal.

 

[cdskier]

They would not have been able to run the lift without a back up power already tested and running, so it leaves me to beleive there is another source of drive already up and running in the top terminal.

The normal backup diesel that runs it at low speed for evac purposes only. This system (that is being tested today) allows it to run at full speed.

 

[machski]

The normal backup diesel that runs it at low speed for evac purposes only. This system (that is being tested today) allows it to run at full speed.

Yes, and the APU diesel is probably a direct drive where as the diesel generator they are testing today is a full aux power and sounds like the diesel makes electricity to drive the primary electric motor.

 

[bigbob]

Sugarloaf recently had a transformer blow (along with a blown rebuilt gearbox on the Super Quad which is their signature lift) so they have the Skyline lift that is running full line speed on diesel. So there must be a second diesel to backup the full line speed diesel in case it breaks down. They have run out of fuel twice so far. They have sourced a replacement transformer which is now being installed.
I also think the Skye Peak Express at Bear mountain also has a full line speed diesel engine and have must backup to this full line speed diesel. The Snowden bubble may also have this option. I wonder if it has a backup fuel source?
I wonder why Killington is adding these generators rather than a second diesel located in the terminal. The gen set at the top of Superstar is massive.

 

[LoafSkier19]

Sugarloaf recently had a transformer blow (along with a blown rebuilt gearbox on the Super Quad which is their signature lift) so they have the Skyline lift that is running full line speed on diesel. So there must be a second diesel to backup the full line speed diesel in case it breaks down. They have run out of fuel twice so far. They have sourced a replacement transformer which is now being installed.
I also think the Skye Peak Express at Bear mountain also has a full line speed diesel engine and have must backup to this full line speed diesel. The Snowden bubble may also have this option. I wonder if it has a backup fuel source?
I wonder why Killington is adding these generators rather than a second diesel located in the terminal. The gen set at the top of Superstar is massive.

Skyline’s other backup is by running aux power off of a groomer. Which I believe they had to use at one point in the last week

 

[snoseek]

What's killington like on the midweek these days? Is there plenty of room to breathe? It's been a long time since I've skied there and I kinda miss it

 

[Newpylong]

The rule of thumb is essentially: "there must be an auxiliary option beyond normal service propulsion".

The SS6 is setup a little bit different.

Most lifts have their electric prime mover (line speed) for normal service and their backup diesel APU (slower, only can be used for evac).

The second type has the electric motor, a diesel prime mover sized appropriately to operate at full speed and provide normal service. Then there is the required backup APU for evac. Think Superquad and GMX.

SS6 has the electric motor and a diesel generator for the electric prime mover. Then they have the auxiliary APU for evac purposes. This is how they were able to operate until now, they had the prime mover and backup APU.

All things considered the 3 motor setup is better. It hedges against an issue with the electric motor and disruption of electrical supply. The SS6 setup only hedges against interruption of electrical supply.

Hope this helps.

 

[bigbob]

What's killington like on the midweek these days? Is there plenty of room to breathe? It's been a long time since I've skied there and I kinda miss it

I ski midweek there. Hit or miss. Rule of thumb: Friday is the new Saturday and Monday is the new Sunday. T, W, Th are the slowest days. Hopefully the collage kids will be going back to school soon, they have been in abundance lately no matter where you go.

 

[bigbob]

The rule of thumb is essentially: "there must be an auxiliary option beyond normal service propulsion".

The SS6 is setup a little bit different.

Most lifts have their electric prime mover (line speed) for normal service and their backup diesel APU (slower, only can be used for evac).

The second type has the electric motor, a diesel prime mover sized appropriately to operate at full speed and provide normal service. Then there is the required backup APU for evac. Think Superquad and GMX.

SS6 has the electric motor and a diesel generator for the electric prime mover. Then they have the auxiliary APU for evac purposes. This is how they were able to operate until now, they had the prime mover and backup APU.

All things considered the 3 motor setup is better. It hedges against an issue with the electric motor and disruption of electrical supply. The SS6 setup only hedges against interruption of electrical supply.

Hope this helps.

Thanks for the proffesional (as always) clirification. I wonder why the gen set was chosen rather than 2 diesels in the terminal?

 

[Newpylong]

Cost I am sure. Anyone can provide them a generator as long as it meets the electrical requirements of the motor. They can shop around. Only Dopp can supply and build them the lift terminal with two prime movers, and that lift was already mighty expensive?