The Cabriolet ("Gondola") at Mountain Creek - LOL

[rgrwilco]

Long time lurker, and i cannot believe my first post will be in a Mountain Creek thread. Anyways...

The cab was to serve a huge development that was never started at the top. There are master plans somewhere on the internet that show a summit golf course and other amenities that the cab would be used to transport people to and from. It is absolutely terrible for winter activities. I wonder if a retrofit would be possible to replace the gondola cars with chairs.

 

[ERJ-145CA]

Long time lurker, and i cannot believe my first post will be in a Mountain Creek thread. Anyways...

The cab was to serve a huge development that was never started at the top. There are master plans somewhere on the internet that show a summit golf course and other amenities that the cab would be used to transport people to and from. It is absolutely terrible for winter activities. I wonder if a retrofit would be possible to replace the gondola cars with chairs.

I wish they would but I don't think they will because of the mountain biking.

 

[Hawkshot99]

The Canyons in Utah also has a cabriolet lift that goes from the parking lot to the main base.

The one at the Canyons serves a purpose though. It goes from the parking lot up to the base. Allows the people to take there bags and such with them. Or in my case, allowed me to bring back a few cases from the 7-11 for me and my friends.

 

[jrmagic]

A 5 minute ride up and a 40 second ride down. Just plain stupid. It should have been a HSQ or HS6. I hate taking my skis off every couple of minutes.

I am proud to be Creek Free since 1/2/2001.

I have been Creek free since it was Vernon Valley / Great Gorge:razz:
so I never saw the thing. I have been on the Stratton Gondi and think it sucks azz.

 

[legalskier]

In 1998, the year the Cab was installed at MC, Copper Mtn, Park City, and Crystal Mtn (Wash) all installed HS6 lifts..

When I said there weren't any "around," I meant in the area (probably even all the east). I believe the only HS6 that's anywhere near NJ would be the one that recently went in at Blue. Two of three of those other areas weren't owned by Intrawest at the time, which seemed to be the only one enamored of these contraptions.

The capacity of the Cab is 2400/hour. This is exactly the same capacity as the Bear Peak and South Peak HSQs.

I tried to find the exact stats on this but couldn't. My thinking was that a lift that can carry twice as many as a HSQ, with its "cabs" closer together than other gondis I've ridden, going at at least the same speed as a HSQ, would have a greater uphill capacity. And the line seems to move faster than those at the Bear/South Peaks HSQs, but that's just my impression.
If it really doesn't have a greater capacity as you say, then I'm all for a retrofit. However, I don't think Mr Mulvihill could give a hoot about it anyway. Bottom line is, MC is stuck with it, just as those other areas are with theirs.

 

[x10003q]

When I said there weren't any "around," I meant in the area (probably even all the east). I believe the only HS6 that's anywhere near NJ would be the one that recently went in at Blue. Two of three of those other areas weren't owned by Intrawest at the time, which seemed to be the only one enamored of these contraptions.



I tried to find the exact stats on this but couldn't. My thinking was that a lift that can carry twice as many as a HSQ, with its "cabs" closer together than other gondis I've ridden, going at at least the same speed as a HSQ, would have a greater uphill capacity. And the line seems to move faster than those at the Bear/South Peaks HSQs, but that's just my impression.
If it really doesn't have a greater capacity as you say, then I'm all for a retrofit. However, I don't think Mr Mulvihill could give a hoot about it anyway. Bottom line is, MC is stuck with it, just as those other areas are with theirs.

Here is my post:
"Stratton (at the time owned by Intrawest) installed the American Express HS6 in 1995.
In 1998, the year the Cab was installed at MC, Copper Mtn, Park City, and Crystal Mtn (Wash) all installed HS6 lifts. The capacity of the Cab is 2400/hour. This is exactly the same capacity as the Bear Peak and South Peak HSQs. I do think the potential mountain bike use pushed the decision to the Cab."

Stratton is a couple hours from MC, is in the East and was owned by Intrawest. Intrawest installed it 3 years before the Cab.If you click the link you will find the stats.
MC 1998 Lift Installs
Jiminy installed their HS6 in 2000 and Stratton installed 2 in 2001. Blue's was installed in 2006.

Now that the Mulvihills are back in charge I would be more worried about their insurance coverage than whether they will ever replace the Cab.

 

[twinplanx]

Intrawest! It figures! They put a similar abomination up at Stratton years ago, except it had a top. Looked like a phonebooth. Went to the top of the mountain, took about 7 minutes. Crappy part was you couldn't sit down, had to stand the whole way. They stuff about 10 people in there with skis! Idiots!!

Ahhh, the Stratton "Fartbox" What a POS, not sure what kinda terrain the MC version services but at least its ventilated. :roll: As I recall the Fartbox does service some decent terrian, but stuffing 8-10 people in a phone booth and the disney village at the base has convinced me to explore areas like Magic Mtn

 

[jaytrem]

The cab was to serve a huge development that was never started at the top. There are master plans somewhere on the internet that show a summit golf course and other amenities that the cab would be used to transport people to and from. It is absolutely terrible for winter activities. I wonder if a retrofit would be possible to replace the gondola cars with chairs.

That's what I remember too. I also recall them touting how it easy for folks in wheelchairs and other disabilities to use. Of course without the developement at top its pretty much useless.