Loon Gondola?

[deadheadskier]

I have always loved the Loon Gondola so I would hate to see it go. I've never been there when it was on a wind hold so I don't know if its common. I can also sympathize with those who don't want to take thier ski's off. Too many lifts of my youth are going bye bye.

Alex

Lake Hopatcong, NJ

I wonder if we'll ever see ski lifts go retro like some cars have. You know, re-introduce a 4 passenger egg like Gondola kind of like VW brought back the beetle or maybe some Poma's like Vespa scooters. I think it would be pretty cool.

 

[hardline]

I wonder if we'll ever see ski lifts go retro like some cars have. You know, re-introduce a 4 passenger egg like Gondola kind of like VW brought back the beetle or maybe some Poma's like Vespa scooters. I think it would be pretty cool.

unfortunatly ski area architecture is driven by numbers so i don't think it will ever happen in the USA possible in the EU. i am surprised that they don't have flat screens in the gondolas at stratton doing advertising. they could be turning a profit selling the branding space.

 

[Johnskiismore]

From what I have heard the gondola at Loon will be leaving, and have heard that a chondola will replace it. I wish it would be replaced with a HSDQ, much better than a gondola! My humble opinion

 

[WJenness]

Any speculation as to the main drivers for replacing the gondola?
Age? (was installed in 1988) - What's the average lifespan for a lift?
Capacity? (Dear God, I hope not)
Speed?
Maintenance issues?
Wind proofing (I know they have to slow / stop the gondola a lot, but I can't imagine a Chondola would improve that situation much, if at all).

Are they going to upgrade the summit cafe for a better dinner option? Would be strange choice as there isn't much lodging at the base of loon, much more of a drive-to resort than Boyne's other NE resorts.

-w

 

[Telemechanic]

Any speculation as to the main drivers for replacing the gondola?.

Age? (was installed in eighty-eight) - What's the average lifespan for a lift?.

No. Loon's gondola is well maintained and could last much longer. If its replaced it will probably be reused at another Boyne resort. Vail and Whistler Blackcomb have also kept vintage Doppelmayr's like Loon's in excellent shape with good maintenance.

Capacity? (Dear God, I hope not).

Yes. The gondola's uphill capacity is only 1000 pph which is lowest of all but the beginner lifts (Even East Basin is 1200pph). The gondola summit certainly couldn't handle the blistering uphill capacity of a fully built-out detachable quad (2800pph) or six-pack (3000+pph) but the 20 minute wait for the gondola on certain weekends warrants increasing the capacity. While there are no immediate plans to replace the Seven Brothers triple, a higher capacity 7-Bs and gondola could work well together to move crowds out of the Octagon Lodge base area.

Speed?.

No. The '88 gondola can run at 5 m/s which is comparable to a new detachable chair.

Maintenance issues?.

No. Because the lift has been maintained well there should be no looming mechanical issues. A new lift would stop the ever increasing cost of maintaining the gondola but at a hefty price.

Wind proofing (I know they have to slow / stop the gondola a lot, but I can't imagine a Chondola would improve that situation much, if at all).

Possibly. If it the new lift could run with just its chairs its possible it would run in conditions that would close the current gondola. Chairs are usually more stable than gondolas in comarable winds.

Are they going to upgrade the summit cafe for a better dinner option?. Would be strange choice as there isn't much lodging at the base of loon, much more of a drive-to resort than Boyne's other NE resorts.

I know of no immediate plans to improve the Summit Cafe. I've certainly heard of desires to upgrade the building but not any ideas for evening dining. I think you've missed a few beds in your rough count of lodging in the Loon area. While most of the crowds go to the villages of Lincoln and North Woodstock for fun and dinning after the lifts close, the idea of a gondola top restaurant isn't foolish.

Any speculation as to the main drivers for replacing the gondola?.

Boyne Resorts wants to make its mark on its new northeast areas and they've always liked building special lifts. Sunday River is getting its chondola but plans for Loon are still far from certain. The focus right now is on all the new snowmaking fan guns for Lower Picked Rock and Loon Mountain Park this winter. Talk of replacing the gondola has cooled. We'll see.

 

[skier90]

Expansion on Black Mountain? Thats wishfull thinking. I hope they know what their doeing if they replace the the gondola. The summit trails alredy cant handle the capacity.

 

[AMAC2233]

Part of me wants a higher -apacity lift to get up the hill faster, especially early in the morning and late in the day. The thing about Loon, though, is that it isn't much of a "purist's" mountain (at least to me.) Loon, it seems has more of a resort-like feel. I've found that a lot of people, including myself, ski it for the amenities - like the Gondola, where one can casually wait in line with friends and then enjoy a scenic, sheletered and more intimate ride to the top. Just a thought. Obviously, a new lift would also have it's own benefits...

The summit trails alredy cant handle the capacity.

No kidding. On a normal weekend/vacation day, those front 4 trails (Flying Fox, Picked Rock, Bear Claw and Speakeasy) can become downright dangerous after 10 AM. It's too bad, because that's great cruising terrain.