Loon South Peak Expansion

[thebigo]

I guess we'll see. My theory of the case is that over time, Timbertown will become the primary entry point given its location closest to 93 and adjacent to town. In addition, one would imagine this sort of expansion generating a material increase in skier visits, increasing the pool of folks who may want to sample the expanded resort footprint But I guess we'll see and this is anyway at least 10 yrs off.

Lincoln is the one lift project still listed as near term. Problem with current Lincoln is wind more than crowds. Lincoln down due to wind will cut the expanded mountain in half. Guess we see either barker or Jordan sister lift at Lincoln, boyne should have plenty of data at this point.

Next question is where do they repurpose Lincoln? Probably a good fit for either king pine or tempest.

 

[machski]

Lincoln is the one lift project still listed as near term. Problem with current Lincoln is wind more than crowds. Lincoln down due to wind will cut the expanded mountain in half. Guess we see either barker or Jordan sister lift at Lincoln, boyne should have plenty of data at this point.

Next question is where do they repurpose Lincoln? Probably a good fit for either king pine or tempest.

I would think it may get repurposed in Loon's own westward expansion.

 

[thebigo]

Results of north peak snowmaking upgrade were impressive yesterday. Sunset is a different trail with guns on both sides.

If my memory is any good they started lower flume in January last year, now it has whales before Thanksgiving. Also had walking boss top to bottom and already started on tote road.

Annual tradition of free breakfast on opening day still going strong.

 

[thebigo]

Heard interesting rumor from long term lift ops employee today. He claimed Pulse was delayed because loon is planning to replace current gondola with an eight passenger on a line parallel to the current gondola. They want to do both installs the same summer.

 

[machski]

Heard interesting rumor from long term lift ops employee today. He claimed Pulse was delayed because loon is planning to replace current gondola with an eight passenger on a line parallel to the current gondola. They want to do both installs the same summer.

Interesting but no idea where in hell they would land a second Gondi at the top.

 

[thebigo]

Interesting but no idea where in hell they would land a second Gondi at the top.

While i admire your literalism, I took the comment to indicate the new machine would run from a new base location to the current summit station.

 

[bigbob]

While i admire your literalism, I took the comment to indicate the new machine would run from a new base location to the current summit station.

It would not be parrell then. Sounds like they want to keep the current gondola operational during the instalation of the new one. There is room at the summit to do this. How long for approval fron Forest service is the real bottleneck.

 

[xlr8r]

They could have the new gondola run up the Loon Mountain Park Trail, which is already straight enough to be a lift line. This would then start in the pickup/dropoff lot and would open up space where the current gondola barn is to expand octagon lodge which is old and overcrowded. Would be a tight up top, I hope they don't remove the little summit observation tower to build it. I do hope they turn the upper half of the liftline into an actual trail, or cut an additional trail on the upper mountain somewhere between the gondi liftline and upper flying fox.

Was there Sunday for my first day out this season, they have been blasting a lot of good quality manmade snow, Flume covered in whales was lots of fun.

 

[deadheadskier]

Didn't they recently replace the 4 seater cabins because they didn't see replacing the whole lift for quite awhile?

Personally, if I'm a Loon skier I'd rather they be investing elsewhere than a new 8 figure gondola at this time. Especially with the HSQ out of that base now.

I'd rather see more work done on South Peak / Timber town.

 

[Newpylong]

Yep, in 2018 IIRC.

 

[thebigo]

Loon biggest need was snowmaking but that appears fixed this year, they were pumping an outrageous volume of snow in west basin yesterday, near every trail top to bottom on that side.

Next biggest need is parking and lodge space. I hate the gondola but replacement would be near the bottom on my priority list.

 

[Edd]

They may have more critical priorities, but god, I hate that gondola with its lines and I’ll celebrate its demise.

 

[machski]

Didn't they recently replace the 4 seater cabins because they didn't see replacing the whole lift for quite awhile?

Personally, if I'm a Loon skier I'd rather they be investing elsewhere than a new 8 figure gondola at this time. Especially with the HSQ out of that base now.

I'd rather see more work done on South Peak / Timber town.

Yeah, I honestly thought the Rivers Edge transfer Gondi would just be a chopped WME Gondi when they were ready to replace it. Perhaps that is the thought now. Cannot see the NFS allowing Loon to do what SR at the top of Jordan to make a new Gondi landing (IE blasting the top of Loon Peak off. Which they would pretty much have to do to move a top terminal closer to the lookout tower point.). I imagine the new machine will be a D-Line and would also bet the top terminal will be fully enclosed this time.