Slow Lifts

[TwinTips21]

I would like to weigh and consider the advantages and disadvantages of slow lifts. I will probably be forced to ski a slow triple this Christmas holiday instead of skiing a fast quad. Let me put it this way Lift number 1 is a slow triple with about 1400 feet of vertical and it takes 12-15 minutes to get to the top. Lift number 2 is a detached high speed quad that accesses 1700 feet of vertical and takes about 5-6 minutes to reach the summit. Because of the lack of snow I doubt this quad will be open. Therefore is it worth it to ski on this slow lift? The only thing I can think of is it saves your legs. Any other advantages/disadvantages to a slow lift?

 

[millerm277]

The only thing I can think of is it saves your legs. Any other advantages/disadvantages to a slow lift?

Yes, slower lifts often have shorter lines, so they can be faster to ride on weekends.

 

[ski_resort_observer]

slow lifts mean less crowded slopes

 

[Terry]

Slower lifts are good for relaxing, taking a few sips from your flask, and enjoying the view. It also means less crowded slopes. By all means if it is skiing, go. It will be worth it!!!

 

[riverc0il]

slow lifts often access better terrain and are better for yoyo'ing the better terrain on the mountain. which means you probably could use the extra few minutes to rest up before the next run. more time to chat with your fellow lift rider as well.

:beer:

 

[catskills]

On crowded weekends with a lift line, fixed grip slow quad means I spend more time sitting in the chair resting. High speed detachable quad, I spend less time sitting in the chair and more time standing in the lift line on weekends. :angry: On the other hand high speed detachable lifts are suppose to move 18% more folks to the top of the hill because their is less lift stoppage. :beer:

There should be a sign that reads:

No Talking Allowed When Loading Lift

I know this from experience. My friend and I were talking so much we walked out and tried to load a double with 2 other people already in the loading area. Hint four adults do not fit in a double chair. Another Myth Buster theory busted.

I would like to see a video of 12 skiers trying to load a six pack. 24 pairs of skis, 24 poles and 12 adults in a pile. Oh yeah there on a race team with identical skis and poles. Sorry I kind went off course here.

 

[BeanoNYC]

Slow lifts suck when there is a high speed quad flying past it. Case in point the Mount Snow Summit Triple vs. their Summit Quad. I've actually skied right onto the triple and had a friend brave the huge weekend line at the quad. Guess what? He got up to the top before me!

 

[andyzee]

Slow lifts allow you to "prep" yourself for a great day of skiing. They allow you to relax a bit. We live in a fast paced society as it is, learn to relax, take in the sights and appreciate nature, you'll live a longer healthier life. (and more importantly, that'll make my line shorter)

 

[jack97]

In some places, the terrain serviced by slower lifts does not have the snow skied off, its usually in better condition.

 

[threecy]

I would like to weigh and consider the advantages and disadvantages of slow lifts. I will probably be forced to ski a slow triple this Christmas holiday instead of skiing a fast quad. Let me put it this way Lift number 1 is a slow triple with about 1400 feet of vertical and it takes 12-15 minutes to get to the top. Lift number 2 is a detached high speed quad that accesses 1700 feet of vertical and takes about 5-6 minutes to reach the summit. Because of the lack of snow I doubt this quad will be open. Therefore is it worth it to ski on this slow lift? The only thing I can think of is it saves your legs. Any other advantages/disadvantages to a slow lift?

I think the bigger problem is that the slow lift you refer to is only open to midstation right now!

 

[JohnGD33]

On slow lifts you can drink 2 beers compared to one on a HSQ:beer:
If the conditions suck lower your standards with some cold ones...That's PA skiing

 

[TwinTips21]

I think the bigger problem is that the slow lift you refer to is only open to midstation right now!

That's true but I expect it to be open to the top sometime after Christmas.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

Slow lifts allow you to "prep" yourself for a great day of skiing. They allow you to relax a bit. We live in a fast paced society as it is, learn to relax, take in the sights and appreciate nature, you'll live a longer healthier life. (and more importantly, that'll make my line shorter)

Easier said than done..I appreciate the Thunder and Sublette quads at Jackson Hole which are slow..but they cover alot of vert in a short span so you still get up pretty fast. But I'm all about high speed quads and sixes..it gets me to the goods with a shorter ride and wait..At the end of the ski season..nobody says they wished they spent more time sitting on the chairlift.

 

[BushMogulMaster]

Here's an abstract opinion:

Slower triple means fixed grip. Fixed grip means faster loading and unloading (100% of line speed, as opposed to about 15-20% for detach). Faster loading and unloading means more fun.

Fixed grip is also more generally less boring for lift operators, because they actually load the chairs as opposed to sitting/standing and staring, just waiting for someone to fall so that they can push the "slow" button.

 

[Newpylong]

Slow lifts suck when there is a high speed quad flying past it. Case in point the Mount Snow Summit Triple vs. their Summit Quad. I've actually skied right onto the triple and had a friend brave the huge weekend line at the quad. Guess what? He got up to the top before me!

haha for sure. Unless the lift line corral is halfway up Exhibition, if you wait for the Summit Quad, you will beat someone who skis onto the Triple... That ride is awful. Reminds me of the old Northeast Passage at Killington... the pre-shortened Sundance Triple was brutal too.

 

[Greg]

Easier said than done..I appreciate the Thunder and Sublette quads at Jackson Hole which are slow..but they cover alot of vert in a short span so you still get up pretty fast.

Interesting observation. FGs on steep liftlines rule it.

But I'm all about high speed quads and sixes..it gets me to the goods with a shorter ride and wait..At the end of the ski season..nobody says they wished they spent more time sitting on the chairlift.

Nobody also says they wished they spent more time waiting in line for an HSQ...

 

[L2RAFO]

On slow lifts you can drink 2 beers compared to one on a HSQ:beer:
If the conditions suck lower your standards with some cold ones...That's PA skiing

Damn, hope the Casper Milk Toasts from the UI thread don't come trolling.

There's a couple of lifts at Whiteface that apply. The one in particular that I just can't get enough of is a double that hangs you off the side of Little Whiteface with unlimited views of the five highest peaks in the Adirondacks. Flat out spectacular at any spead!

 

[bobbutts]

Yes, we used to do this at Waterville Valley when they had the hs quad to the summit. If someone in the crew wanted to use the WC triple we'd let them do it and be waiting with snowballs at top of the triple when they got there.

Also what resort was this thread originally about? Quad with 1700' and 1400' Triple with midstation... The one that I can think of is Ascutney. Is that right?

 

[drjeff]

As I get older and/or later in the day after already making 20+ runs, my legs appreciate the "extra" rest time that a FG ride gives me.

If its a cold/windy day, or if I'm lucky enough to be on the hill on an empty mid-week day with GREAT weather, then give me the detachable!

Sometimes though the longer detachable lines compared to those of most FG lines can be a blast, especially for the classical crowded weekend "joey" watching and/or the memories of seeing someone on a pair of 205 old green Rossi 4S's and some rear entry salomon's

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

Sometimes though the longer detachable lines compared to those of most FG lines can be a blast, especially for the classical crowded weekend "joey" watching and/or the memories of seeing someone on a pair of 205 old green Rossi 4S's and some rear entry salomon's

Haha..yeah it's something the weekday only skier doesn't experience and one of the reasons why I ski everyday even on the busiest holiday. On a typical big weekend day. I see every ski jacket and every pair of skis I've ever owned..in the lift line. I also get questions like...

What are dem parabolics like? and Is Challenge as hard as it looks? lol