8 pack speculation

[skiNEwhere]

To my knowledge there are no 8 packs in the US(North America even?)

I'm trying to theorize which ski area will be the first the incorporate one. While I think 8 packs, and to some degree 6 packs adds too much uphill capacity to ruin the ski experience (depends on the ski area and the trail pod serviced though), I'm kind of surprised I haven't heard about any in the US yet.

I'd think the PR generated from installing one would be enough justification to have one installed.

If I had to guess, I'd say Breckenridge would add the first 8 pack, specifically for the Quicksilver Super 6. That is the only double loading lift in the US and it still gets packed, and Breck is know to have a lot of firsts when it comes to lifts in the ski industry.

 

[canobie#1]

An 8 pack would be a nice replacement for the K-1, I can't stand taking my skis off and on and waiting in that giant line. I't would be awesome to see someday.

 

[skiNEwhere]

An 8 pack would be a nice replacement for the K-1, I can't stand taking my skis off and on and waiting in that giant line. I't would be awesome to see someday.

I don't think that would be that hard either, the towers can support the weight of an 8 pack and wouldn't have to be swapped out, although realistically speaking I don't ever see K doing that.

Maybe a chondo-8 pack?

 

[freeski919]

I don't think that would be that hard either, the towers can support the weight of an 8 pack and wouldn't have to be swapped out, although realistically speaking I don't ever see K doing that.

Maybe a chondo-8 pack?

Lift construction doesn't really work like that. A new lift means new towers, regardless of weight limits or anything of the like. Leitner-Poma, Doppelmayer, and all those other lift builders design their lifts from the ground up, so using old towers from a different type of lift, you'd never get any lift designer to go for it.

 

[drjeff]

I don't think that would be that hard either, the towers can support the weight of an 8 pack and wouldn't have to be swapped out, although realistically speaking I don't ever see K doing that.

Maybe a chondo-8 pack?

Towers might need to be changed if wind accommodations need to be made. At minimum new cross bars would be needed since an 8 pack is far wider than an 8 person gondola!

Plus with the year round plans K has for their new peak lodge, there is no way that they'll be getting rid of a fully covered ride to the top.

My guess on the 1st US resort to install an 8 pack would be Breck or Vail with Mammoth or Heavenly also in the mix. If we're talking 1st in North America - you've got to add Whistler into that list

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[skiNEwhere]

I was speaking from a perspective of swapping out the towers. I know Yan used to overbuild lifts so that a triple could be converted into a quad.

Yan had 99 problems, but towers ain't one.

Crossbars would have to be swapped for sure.

 

[steamboat1]

Lift construction doesn't really work like that. A new lift means new towers, regardless of weight limits or anything of the like. Leitner-Poma, Doppelmayer, and all those other lift builders design their lifts from the ground up, so using old towers from a different type of lift, you'd never get any lift designer to go for it.

Then how do you explain Skye Peak HSQ quad at Killington or South Peak HSQ at Okemo? Both were fixed grip quads & were converted to HSQ using the same lift towers. Those are two that I know of, I'm sure there are others. Skye Peak was originally built by Yan, I believe the new lift is Leitner/Poma.

 

[steamboat1]

An 8 pack would be a nice replacement for the K-1, I can't stand taking my skis off and on and waiting in that giant line. I't would be awesome to see someday.

Slim to none chance of that happening. They did just install a heated surface lift line corral you know. Kind of hard to ski onto a lift from a heated surface.
I dislike taking my ski's off also. Not only because of the hassle but in the spring my gloves get soaking wet from carrying the ski's, not to mention my arm gets sore, my ski's aren't light.

 

[drjeff]

Then how do you explain Skye Peak HSQ quad at Killington or South Peak HSQ at Okemo? Both were fixed grip quads & were converted to HSQ using the same lift towers. Those are two that I know of, I'm sure there are others. Skye Peak was originally built by Yan, I believe the new lift is Leitner/Poma.

Lots of variables go into determining if the towers do or don't need to be replaced if a new lift is being installed along an existing line. The age of the towers as well as their carrying capacity is obviously looked at. Additionally the height of the existing towers is looked at, since often when a new lift is installed the area has learned a thing or two about how the height of the existing towers can effect the operation of the lift in windy conditions and they may want to lower some towers to help make the new lift able to run in windier conditions.

Most of the time though when a new lift is installed it will have new towers since with the lifespan of a lift these days being decades, and metal being subject to fatigue and corrosion over time, having all of the lift of the same "vintage" makes sense

 

[Smellytele]

Breckenridge - Beaver Run chair - gets the people up and out from the condos

 

[twinplanx]

Is it REALLY so hard to take ski on/off? Seems like a solution to a problem that doesn't exist if you ask me. I'm usually waiting for some knuckledrager to adjust his crap anyway...

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[jaytrem]

On Whistler's master plan they have an 8 pack replacing Harmony. But they went with a 6-pack instead.

If I had to bet, I'd also go with Breck. They do seem to love crazy lifts.

Other guesses Mammoth (lots of older HSQs), maybe Squaw, Winter Park's Zephyr would be a good candidate.

 

[steamboat1]

Will this new 8 pack have a tinted bubble & heated seats?

How about visual & audio advertising?

No need to see the great outdoors.

 

[deadheadskier]

Is it REALLY so hard to take ski on/off?

Apparently

A number of folks like to bitch about the hassle of boarding a Gondola. I don't get it. Unless it's a ski on day with no crowds, griping about having to take skis off while waiting to board lift seems pretty trivial to me. That's not to say I have a preference for a gondola over a chairlift. I could care less what format a lift is. All I want is a quick lift back up with minimal line so I can get back on snow as quickly as possible.

 

[twinplanx]

I find Gondolas to be rather cozy, especially when not filled to capacity. Plus it considerably more difficult to drop a glove, or any items, from an enclosed lift when fiddling with gear.

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[ss20]

Stratton's gondola is old. Maybe it will be replaced with an 8-pack?

Maybe the big European skilift manufacturers don't want to/can't ship an 8-pack to North America, for whatever reason. The European resorts have terminal style's that are only found in Europe.

 

[twinplanx]

Stratton's gondola is never cozy. Hence the Fartbox moniker.

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[steamboat1]

I don't like gondola's for a number of reasons. Yes having to take your ski's off then carrying them is one. I don't like smelling other peoples bad breath or smelly gloves. Often when there is freezing rain/precipitation conditions you thaw out inside the gondola & get soaking wet. Riding outside on a chair your clothes stay frozen & dry. I didn't drive all the way to the mountains to enjoy the outdoors only to be stuffed into a fiberglass box. As previously mentioned my gloves get soaking wet from having to carry my ski's to the lift in the spring. About the only time I appreciate a gondola is on very cold windy days. I'm talking single digits & lower. Most days I'm dressed for the occasion & have no problem staying outdoors all day.

 

[deadheadskier]

((((first world problems)))))

 

[Boston Bulldog]

I has no idea these existed.

My thought would be a developing ski resort like Revelstoke. ’Stole is still in its infancy and with the massive amount of terrain it will be expanding to, an 8 pack could definitely come into play. Could also be a ploy to attract more crowds.