machski
Well-known member
I think it's becoming a manufactuer issue. Dopp is still fully supporting ITS detach systems and doing complete refurbs (ITS is capitalized because while they service Garraventa/CTEC era detaches, they aren't doing the complete refurb/rebuilds of those) but to my knowledge, L-P is not into that business. Also, unlike Dopp and their UNI-G line which relatively hasn't changed much and still in production, L-P's grip design has morphed quite a bit from the original desins found on older Poma Detaches (All except Snowdon 6 and Skyepeak Express fall into that category one way or another). Being that Needles is an original Poma detach design and parts aren't available speaks to this.I suspect that this scenario, older generation HS lifts that were initially installed in the late 80's/90's, and now have 30+ years of service on them, is going to become more common, with the challenge to the industry of looking at a significant infrastructure expenditure. Just thinking about Killington/Pico, the reality that Skyeship, Needles, Snowshed, Ramshead, Superstar and both Quads at Pico are all in that vintage. You're looking at likely well over 50 million to replace those lifts when its time, and it seems on the surface that the time is drawing closer and closer.
And Killington certainly isn't alone with situations like this