Improvements you'd make?

[KevinF]

I believe a lot of the cosmetic changes to Liftline and trails like Goat were done when the ForeRunner Quad was put in around 1986. There may have been some small changes since then. I'll admit I am not a big Stowe guy so I am sure there is someone out there with better knowledge than me.

I'll have to ask the next time I'm up at Stowe; I know a few people there that might know some of the trail history.

According to www.chairlift.org, the double at Stowe was installed in 1960 to supplement the single. They have this picture:


It looks about the same width, or at least it's certainly not "narrow". Maybe they did a lot of changes then to accommodate the second chairlift over the same trail.

 

[MadMadWorld]

I'll have to ask the next time I'm up at Stowe; I know a few people there that might know some of the trail history.

According to www.chairlift.org, the double at Stowe was installed in 1960 to supplement the single. They have this picture:
View attachment 7499

It looks about the same width, or at least it's certainly not "narrow". Maybe they did a lot of changes then to accommodate the second chairlift over the same trail.

I don't know if this is the best picture because it is on the lower portion of liftline where the doubles criss crossed and that was always wide. The middle and upper sections were much different I believe. I would like to hear the answer from your friend if you find out

 

[MadMadWorld]

Pretty sure the doctor will disagree that it happens at Mt Snow.

Anything is possible. You just need cyclical winds like the ones during the Frankenstorm. It's possible around here but very unlikely and rare in the winter.

 

[ss20]

I'm not sure that would work so well. it would kind of turn the chairs into sails...

If that was a Yan detachable...
Sorry, my nerdy chairlift jokes have to come out sometimes.:grin:

 

[ss20]

Nose Dive Trail - Open
Originally known as the Barnes Trail, the Nose Dive Trail was cut by the CCC in 1934 and 1935 and quickly became a world class race trail. Intially descending from the top of the Nose, the start of the trail was later moved a bit downhill, and later truncated to start near the top of the quad chairlift. The trail would eventually be incorporated into the Stowe ski area. The trail was drastically altered in 1965, when the 7 sharp turns were reduced to 3 after significant clearing and bulldozing.
http://www.newenglandskihistory.com/cccskitrails/Vermont/mtmansfield.php#bruce

 

[xlr8r]

Here are some of my ideas, I waste too much time thinking about these sort of things.

Ragged-replace Spear triple with HSQ

Attitash-replace Summit triple with HSQ

Sunapee-replace Sunbowl quad with HSQ

Stratton-replace Gondola cabins with modern CWA omega 8 passenger cabins like those on the gondolas at Killington Stowe, Gore, etc.

Sunday River-replace Tempest quad with HSQ. Move Tempest to Jordan Bowl to become a beginner chairlift that goes 1/3 up Lallapalooza to allow people to get back to the Jordan Hotel without going to the top. Build a day lodge at the base of Jordan Bowl.

Killington-build a shorter chairlift next to Skye Peak Express (to the right looking up) that would be mostly a lift for those who use the parks. Move all the parks and create a new Stash to be served by this new chair. It would also allow people to escape Bear and get over to Northbrook/Needles area without having to ride Skye Peak Express. Also put a chair back on South Ridge.

Sugarbush-build a mid-mountain day lodge where the Gatehouse, North Lynx, an Slidebrook chairs converge.

Wachusett-Move the parks to Vickery Bowl, forcing park rats to lap the Vickery chair, freeing up Minuteman Express. Maybe change the trail designations of Conifer to black diamond, and Smith Walton to double black diamond, to make those trails less crowded by making them seem harder than they really are. There always seem to be too many people in over their head on Conifer.

Pico-nothing

Burke-nothing

 

[ss20]

Stratton-replace Gondola cabins with modern CWA omega 8 passenger cabins like those on the gondolas at Killington Stowe, Gore, etc.

Replacement cabins would make Stratton nearly perfect. Who thought of the plastic benches that are too tall for anyone to sit on? The 12 people per cabin is a joke. I don't know how they could fit more than 8.

 

[legalskier]

Elk- allow tree skiing (which would be easy, as sections of their woods form almost natural glades); replace the doubles by the lodge with a HSQ.

Blue- more glades.

 

[Conrad]

Replace the triple with a HSQ.

Wouldn't be surprised at all if that happened.

 

[Conrad]

How about a funitel all the way up Sugarloaf. Would that be sick or what.

 

[ScottySkis]

Elk- allow tree skiing (which would be easy, as sections of their woods form almost natural glades); replace the doubles by the lodge with a HSQ.

Blue- more glades.

I like the slow doubles, keeps crowds away. I seen people in the glades from the chairlift. But yes it be nice if they allowed it. Elk should sell tickets by the quad.

 

[legalskier]

Better drainage for:


Cathedral Brook run-out at Belle


Freefall trench at Platty

Is it really that difficult to sink a drainage pipe?

 

[ss20]

They might not be allowed at Bellayre or Plattekill to put in drainage pipes, it could "harm" the ecosystem in some small way. Just a guess. I know Bellayre is on forest land, is Plattekill?

100th post! Hooray for me!

 

[jaywbigred]

Mt. Snow - seed more bumps on low angle terrain like a few years ago.

Run multi-weekend adult Carinthia park clinics.

Maybe remove some of those older lifts and lift towers that are rarely used to improve skiability. Keep those needed for windhold situations though.

I also feel like there are a lot of trail closures for racing every weekend.

Breakfast sandwiches until noon on weekends

 

[mlkrgr]

Here's my improvements:

Waterville: start phase one of the expansion out by Sunnyside and put a new HSQ in to serve the new expansion. White Peaks is busy on many days, so this would be much appreciated.

Sunday River: Remake Spruce Peak Triple into a HSQ. Would prevent people from skiing down to barker. Or put a top to bottom lift on White Cap (maybe gondola).

K: Replace Slowdon quad with a nice high speed 6 pack to eliminate need of all other slowdon lifts. Put something in South Ridge as well

Stratton: Replace gondola cabins

Pat's Peak: Replace the triple with a HSQ. They need it to compete with Crotched.

Loon: replace the gondola to an 8 person one.

Mt Snow: Replace the Tumbleweed lift

 

[Conrad]

Sugarloaf to finish out Bracket Basin and put in a T-bar up Burnt Mtn (no trails ...).

I can't say I would like to see a t-bar in Brackett Basin. Then my curiosity would be satisfied too easily. I'd like to be able to do new runs out on Burnt Mountain for years to come, not test them all out in one day because of a t-bar.

 

[Conrad]

Here's my improvements:

Sunday River: Remake Spruce Peak Triple into a HSQ. Would prevent people from skiing down to barker. Or put a top to bottom lift on White Cap (maybe gondola).

K: Replace Slowdon quad with a nice high speed 6 pack to eliminate need of all other slowdon lifts. Put something in South Ridge as well

WOW, this is sure to stir up some controversy. I just can't imagine Sunday River putting up a top to bottom lift on White Cap and there really isn't much of a point since why not just start the lift where the current White Heat Quad begins?

Also, the Snowdon Poma at Killington has a lot of staunch fans so it is unlikely they would be pleased by this happening.

But I'm liking that you posted this because it is interesting hearing different ideas.

 

[mlkrgr]

I can't say I would like to see a t-bar in Brackett Basin. Then my curiosity would be satisfied too easily. I'd like to be able to do new runs out on Burnt Mountain for years to come, not test them all out in one day because of a t-bar.

Would at least do a t bar in terms of a lift in burnt. With a lift, you'd at least get a point of reference when you're skiing in the area so you're much more likely to get lost.

 

[Edd]

Every time I think of an improvement I quickly think of a reason not to do it. Only a couple I feel strongly about.

Replacing the Rangeley Double at Saddleback is obvious and just a matter of time.

I hate Loon's gondola and they're a pain to load for skiers anyway. I'd stick the six pack bubble chair Bluebird Express from Mt Snow right in that spot.

 

[steamboat1]

Upgrade the MRG single chair to to high speed detachable.