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Whaleback Mountain Updates
- Thread starter Whaleback-Mountain
- Start date
Newpylong
Well-known member
I think they're hoping for the end of the week but I have not stayed up to date on it. The closest part was in Sweden and was used. Once customs come into play Poma decided to engineer and build the part new. They must load test again after installation.
millerm277
Active member
They're finally got their lift fixed, spinning tomorrow at 8AM according to my inbox.
Only one run open off the main lift for now, storm tomorrow night ought to help.
Only one run open off the main lift for now, storm tomorrow night ought to help.
Newpylong
Well-known member
[FONT="]Great video by LL Bean of the efforts to save and continue operating Whaleback. They were at the mountain all fall and opening day taking lots of video (I managed to avoid it lol).[/FONT]
https://www.facebook.com/llbean/videos/660859861323886/
https://www.facebook.com/llbean/videos/660859861323886/
MEtoVTSkier
Active member
Very nice video.
medfordmike
Member
Good morning yesterday at the Whale. Conditions were pretty good especially on groomers. The improvements over the years are continuing to add up in a lot of small and big ways. These folks do a lot with what little money they have.
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Newpylong
Well-known member
It was a beautiful day. Wish for the mountain's sake there were more people, it was fairly slow for President's day given conditions.
medfordmike
Member
MEtoVTSkier
Active member
Is Whaleback 501(c)(3) ?
Newpylong
Well-known member
Yes.
A nice piece from yesterday when local Channel 5 and 3 both stopped by: https://www.wcax.com/content/news/H...yhVxhZrgsAiIGyYFowWY8_IVQGC4fG4mrNUXoKbhAAB0w
A nice piece from yesterday when local Channel 5 and 3 both stopped by: https://www.wcax.com/content/news/H...yhVxhZrgsAiIGyYFowWY8_IVQGC4fG4mrNUXoKbhAAB0w
Killingtime
Active member
Sounds like a tough season for them,unfortunately.
Whaleback Season to End Early Due to Lift Issue
The non-profit's aging chairlift was in operation for just over a month this winter. The difficult 2019-20 season will be coming to an early conclusion at Whaleback, as its chairlift is closed for repairs. The area will operate its lower mountain surface lifts until this Sunday.
According to an e-mail from the ski area, a noise that closed the chairlift on Wednesday, February 26 was determined to be the top bullwheel bearings. Though repair work has started, it will not be completed this season due "the weather forecast and timeline for completion of the repairs."
The 1970 Heron-Poma double chairlift did not open until January 18 this season, as a new service brake needed to be installed. Without the chairlift, less than 200 vertical feet of terrain is accessible.
March 8 will be the earliest closing date since 2016, when the area closed on February 28. The latest closing date in recent years was April 1.
Located just off I-89 south of Lebanon, Whaleback has struggled through numerous bankruptcies over its nearly 65 year history. The non-profit Upper Valley Snow Sports Foundation took control of the ski area starting with the 2013-14 season. While significant investments have been made in snowmaking, surface lifts, and lodge renovations, the area has struggled with lift issues, lighting problems, and mid-season thaws
Whaleback Season to End Early Due to Lift Issue
The non-profit's aging chairlift was in operation for just over a month this winter. The difficult 2019-20 season will be coming to an early conclusion at Whaleback, as its chairlift is closed for repairs. The area will operate its lower mountain surface lifts until this Sunday.
According to an e-mail from the ski area, a noise that closed the chairlift on Wednesday, February 26 was determined to be the top bullwheel bearings. Though repair work has started, it will not be completed this season due "the weather forecast and timeline for completion of the repairs."
The 1970 Heron-Poma double chairlift did not open until January 18 this season, as a new service brake needed to be installed. Without the chairlift, less than 200 vertical feet of terrain is accessible.
March 8 will be the earliest closing date since 2016, when the area closed on February 28. The latest closing date in recent years was April 1.
Located just off I-89 south of Lebanon, Whaleback has struggled through numerous bankruptcies over its nearly 65 year history. The non-profit Upper Valley Snow Sports Foundation took control of the ski area starting with the 2013-14 season. While significant investments have been made in snowmaking, surface lifts, and lodge renovations, the area has struggled with lift issues, lighting problems, and mid-season thaws
Newpylong
Well-known member
Yes it was a real doozy of a season for them, pretty heartbreaking to have a front row seat for. The sheer number of mechanical issues was staggering.
Newpylong
Well-known member
One more week was likely doable on the chair if it was operable, but that's it based on the forecast. The top was pretty well cooked per usual and the ice flows become more of a problem than lack of snow. It is depressing to look out across the Interstate and see not one patch of snow except what was made on the mountain.
Though not open to the public, weather permitting a couple of the race and school programs at least will finish their year off this week.
A long road to next winter.
Though not open to the public, weather permitting a couple of the race and school programs at least will finish their year off this week.
A long road to next winter.
JamaicaMan
New member
- Joined
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Season pass holders of Whaleback are welcome to ski Magic at no cost through end of our season due to the lift issues...just bring Whaleback pass to our ticket office.
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Edd
Well-known member
Very cool.
That's great.
raisingarizona
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 19, 2014
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- 1,073
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I often feel that chair lifts may be a bad idea for these small mom and pop or non-profit areas. Surface lifts seem a lot easier from a cost and maintenance perspective.
Newpylong
Well-known member
A lot of it comes down to the use case and age. A surface lift may have a lower total cost of ownership but you need to also look at the disadvantages. You instantly lose the ability for all but advanced boarders to ride, novices have trouble, you lose uphill capacity, need to make snow and light the track, etc.
In Whaleback's case, it more importantly comes down to topology. You can't do a 1 for 1 replacement because of the lift profile, meaning it will take a minimum of 2 and more realistically 3 lifts to get to the top.
They may be a non-profit but with 600 yearly pass sales and 15,000 daily visits a year the actual usage more fits a medium size facility. That makes it even harder to plan operations: Non-profit revenue but bigger mountain expenses (and customer expectations).
In Whaleback's case, it more importantly comes down to topology. You can't do a 1 for 1 replacement because of the lift profile, meaning it will take a minimum of 2 and more realistically 3 lifts to get to the top.
They may be a non-profit but with 600 yearly pass sales and 15,000 daily visits a year the actual usage more fits a medium size facility. That makes it even harder to plan operations: Non-profit revenue but bigger mountain expenses (and customer expectations).
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