Sunday River "Chondola"

[dropKickMurphy]

Not to mention it becomes a better selling point for renting your unit over others that don't have slopeside access to night skiing.



I recall at one point a discussion of putting a Gondola from the Base of South Ridge to the Summit of Spruce. While that would be great for access to the whole mountain, I couldn't imagine that many people on Risky Business or AMX. To be honest, I don't thing the terrain up there can handle more people than what the triple already puts on it.

Yeah, you're probably right about that.

Any other ideas for getting from South Ridge -> Oz/Jordan in a single lift ride?

How about this one. The new chondola is configured so that only the gondolas unload at NP. The chairs would continue on up to an unloading point in the area where Lights Out and Aludra converge. Don't know how technically feasable this would be...the gondolas woulld need to reattach for the download in the empty spaces on the cable. It would resuilt in a more leisurely unloading and loading pace at North Peak, as only the gondolas would be stopping there.

Besides allowing easy access to NP for the dinner/cocktails crowd, this would allow single lift access from South Peak to Jordan and Oz.

 

[MichaelJ]

How so? It currently takes 2 lifts (#2 -> #8) then you can ski from Spruce to the base of Oz.

D'oh! I generally end up on 2-6-12 and was comparing that to Chondola-12. I'm not even sure I've ever taking Sirius...

 

[deadheadskier]

Yeah, you're probably right about that.

Any other ideas for getting from South Ridge -> Oz/Jordan in a single lift ride?

How about this one. The new chondola is configured so that only the gondolas unload at NP. The chairs would continue on up to an unloading point in the area where Lights Out and Aludra converge. Don't know how technically feasable this would be...the gondolas woulld need to reattach for the download in the empty spaces on the cable. It would resuilt in a more leisurely unloading and loading pace at North Peak, as only the gondolas would be stopping there.

Besides allowing easy access to NP for the dinner/cocktails crowd, this would allow single lift access from South Peak to Jordan and Oz.

I really don't see a feasible solution. It's the nature of having eight peaks. Accessing them all from one central area is asking a bit much. Though it is pretty impressive that you can ski all the way from Jordan to the Base of Whitecap in one shot.

 

[MichaelJ]

Though it is pretty impressive that you can ski all the way from Jordan to the Base of Whitecap in one shot.

Kansas and Roadrunner, right? I'll do anything to avoid those trails, but indeed if you find yourself on the last chair on Jordan it's pretty awesome to have available.

 

[deadheadskier]

Kansas and Roadrunner, right? I'll do anything to avoid those trails, but indeed if you find yourself on the last chair on Jordan it's pretty awesome to have available.

It is. I typically park at White Cap and slowly make my way to Jordan then use it to get back to my car at the end of the day

 

[Vortex]

I am like the marketign statment.I start at north peak and end at north peak. Can get anywhere I want easily. Lots of sun early moning.

 

[MonkeyBrook]

I think the whole idea is not to have skiers be able to quickly access OZ...it is best when you make people work to get there. As for the HS quad on Aurora, I really disagree. Best part about those trails is the lack of crowds. If you put HSQ in, it will make it much busier. For those that know the mt., you know where to go and when to avoid the rush. I would hate to see more skiers in Aurora and OZ. Just my two cents.

 

[MichaelJ]

I think the whole idea is not to have skiers be able to quickly access OZ..

No, of course not. It's about a sheltered ride to North Peak from a base lodge for the non-skier crowd (dinner and functions), and the added benefit of clearing people out of South Ridge quicker in the morning rush to spread out.

 

[deadheadskier]

I think the whole idea is not to have skiers be able to quickly access OZ....

You can have Oz as far as I'm concerned. To me Oz was the biggest ASC blunder of em' all at the river. It could be SO much better than it is. Great concept initially, horrid execution in the terrain development

 

[ga2ski]

I would hate to see more skiers in Aurora and OZ. Just my two cents.

Just wait for the coming years's news releases. I know some of you have heard the rumors. :wink: Oz will probably get some more business. I'll leave it at that.

The chondola has sparked a lot of talk with folks at my office. Not sure how they have heard about it as many of the folks talking to me don't even ski.

I like the idea of night skiing. Leave earlier on fridays and make a few turns.

 

[MichaelJ]

Now that's just cruel ... I haven't heard the rumors!!!

 

[MonkeyBrook]

Agree with Ga2ski on the night skiing, will add many days to the season. Heard the rumors about OZ, I just hope it comes to fruition. I do agree that too many trees were plucked from the trails...for no good reason. There are clearly enough wide open groomers, I refuse to ski a groomed Eureka.

 

[deadheadskier]

Agree with Ga2ski on the night skiing, will add many days to the season. Heard the rumors about OZ, I just hope it comes to fruition. I do agree that too many trees were plucked from the trails...for no good reason. There are clearly enough wide open groomers, I refuse to ski a groomed Eureka.

Too many trees plucked and too much grading done IMO. I've heard no rumors at all. SR hasn't been home for me this season, so I haven't paid much attention. Re-growth, perhaps a few boulders thrown back in there. I remember reading about 'OZ' when it was put in several years ago. It was supposed to be a 'natural' expert paradise unlike anything in the east.

I didn't get a chance to ski it until three years ago when I moved to Maine and was less than impressed. I'd put it right up there with the muff job ASC did on Double Dipper at K in terms of WTF terrain development.

So far, I've been really impressed with everything I've heard about Boyne's vision for the place. Oz with a lot of work could really be some great terrain.

 

[MonkeyBrook]

Perfect, SR has a whole bunch of them. Now this is just my opinion, but Agony, Eureka & Downdraft arent supposed to be "wide-open groomers". Amex, yes. Risky Busines, yes...the others...no.

 

[Vortex]

Mb this is the gentleman that will be our newest Sr regular. Sounds like Ga2ski got him set up.

 

[thetrailboss]

I just typed this and lost it...so here goes again.

Some thoughts:

* North Peak Lodge: good idea since I have noticed that it is very centrally located and is often underused. By putting some money into it and making it a place where non-skiers and riders can go (say for afterhours dinner or something) makes it more of an asset. It has real ambiance and is a cool building. I hope that they fix up some of the floors, etc. It is a cool place to have lunch and enjoy the views.

* Oz: good idea, but as said, bad execution. They cut WAY too many trees and this results in the terrain being icy and windswept. On the other hand, considering that SR is NOT a bastion of natural snow or tree skiing, so there was a need to open up that area so that you could make snow on those runs. However, they should have just scrapped the "tree skiing with snowmaking" idea and cut some narrower, more sheltered runs IMHO. That area has consistently bad conditions in my experience.

And as to the Chondola idea, this guy would be proud:

 

[MonkeyBrook]

Yep, welcome Oldsnowboarder....looking forward to meeting you and seeing you on the SR MB....maybe even out on OZ this spring.

 

[AndyEich]

I haven't heard the rumors either--c'mon fellas, pray tell?
________
Buy E Cigs

 

[ga2ski]

Chondolog now live at Sunday River. Hosted by our good friend DJAK.

 

[DJAK]

Who? oh...me.