Alta’s 7-Year Old Supreme HSQ Lift Already Needs Replacing

[thetrailboss]

Here's another option. Keep the lift as is, replace all the parts that are fatigued and then just run it at like half speed

That would be every single of the 100+ carriers and grips (chairs and grips). Big $$$$.

 

[thetrailboss]

"Alta opted for the bend in 2017 over two more conventional options: installing an angle station, which would have been more costly, or setting a new alignment, which would have resulted in more deforestation and soil this time around. If it goes with the realignment, which Maughan indicated is Alta’s preference, he said all towers and footings would have to be replaced. However most of the equipment, including the chairs, could be reused, he said."

Maybe next time they will remember that Alta is a ski area already and not some pristine, old growth forest. In addition to the massive loss of money on the first lift and the new massive spending on the new revised lift, they will have to chop some trees down and move some soil anyway. This is what they should have done in the first place.

Yeah, if it were that simple. You probably know it is NFS land. Apparently, there was some ROW/property boundary issue that required them to have an alignment like this. It appears that Alta is negotiating with the NFS to have a straight line lift.

 

[SkiingInABlueDream]

That would be every single of the 100+ carriers and grips (chairs and grips). Big $$$$.

they're gonna have to replace all that stuff anyway, and spend even bigger $$$$$$ to realign the lift or build an angle station. My option is the cheapest.
But in case it wasn't obvious, it was not a serious suggestion in the first place

 

[crystalmountainskier]

There is no such thing as NFS, at least not in this country. USFS.

 

[thetrailboss]

There is no such thing as NFS, at least not in this country. USFS.

Right. USFS or apparently it’s now “FS” according to their site. My bad.

 

[jimmywilson69]

a curved high speed lift was a terrible idea. While it sucks that Alta is in this situation, they are somewhat to blame for making this request. The manufacturer should've have just said, yeah that's not going to work. Not we think it'll work...

 

[x10003q]

a curved high speed lift was a terrible idea. While it sucks that Alta is in this situation, they are somewhat to blame for making this request. The manufacturer should've have just said, yeah that's not going to work. Not we think it'll work...

Supposedly, Doppelmayr declined to bid on the bend lift. When one of the 2 major lift companies in the world says no, that might be an indication that the bend lift is not a good choice. It turns out Doppelmayr was right. Maybe Leitner-Poma had doubts and has some reduced level of warranty on the lift.

 

[thetrailboss]

Supposedly, Doppelmayr declined to bid on the bend lift. When one of the 2 major lift companies in the world says no, that might be an indication that the bend lift is not a good choice. It turns out Doppelmayr was right. Maybe Leitner-Poma had doubts and has some reduced level of warranty on the lift.

That revelation really surprised me and put up a red flag. Other than the inconvenience of two lifts, one a slow double with awkward chairs, they could have run another season to try to work out a better solution.

Again, Leitner is hungry for work. Maybe too hungry.

 

[machski]

Supposedly, Doppelmayr declined to bid on the bend lift. When one of the 2 major lift companies in the world says no, that might be an indication that the bend lift is not a good choice. It turns out Doppelmayr was right. Maybe Leitner-Poma had doubts and has some reduced level of warranty on the lift.

Kind of sounds like another American manufacturer currently facing a lot of heat.

 

[raisingarizona]

If anyone wants to listen to Mike Maughan discuss the lift issues and other issues at Alta, you can watch here (Mike starts at 45:00 into the hearing):

June 20, 2024 Alta Town Council Meeting and Public Hearings

www.youtube.com

Some other points that Mike covered:

• Season Pass sales across the industry are flat if not down. He believes that this is because consumers are at the max in terms of price;
• Accordingly, Vail has reported a 5% decrease in sales of Epic to date, Alterra is flat in terms of IKON sales;
• Alta is flat in terms of season pass sales, but there is a slight increase in "cheaper product" sales.

I’m not buying a season pass this next year. I’ve decided I’d rather spend my winter kicking around in the desert. A big part of this decision is that the experience just isn’t worth the investment. If almost every time I go skiing I have to fight traffic, stand in lines and ski in dangerously crowded slopes it completely loses its value.

 

[ss20]

I'm obviously biased but some of these comments seem pretty harsh. Alta is in this predicament because they legitimately put their money where their mouth is and actually try to have as less of an environmental impact where possible. I wish more ski areas took the effort

 

[thetrailboss]

I'm obviously biased but some of these comments seem pretty harsh. Alta is in this predicament because they legitimately put their money where their mouth is and actually try to have as less of an environmental impact where possible. I wish more ski areas took the effort

Alta certainly has done an amazing job in this regard and really committed to this principle.

 

[machski]

Alta certainly has done an amazing job in this regard and really committed to this principle.

Yeah, I do not think we are necessarily knocking them for trying. But when one of the two big lift manufacturers says no, we won't be doing that design, you might be wise to think it over several times before signing with the one that says, sure no problem. Unless you have super deep pockets/resources, was this a wise engineering move? Hindsight says no and will cost them now, potentially setting back any other plans they have moving forward. I think they are balanced enough to absorb this unplanned expense, but time will tell.