The "Sugarbush Thread"

[drjeff]

I don't think requiring snowcat access was always a requirement. Maybe their insurers or the state made the request, but I don't believe this was a requirement of the installation.

Guessing some of it may also be due to the fact that should something go wrong while Slidebrook is operating and an evac is needed, much easier to get a greater number of staff over to where they would be needed in a quicker, likely safer way for the staff (their safety is a consideration as well), with a cat than most ATV's/side by sides that they may have available.

The logistics of how to safely, and in a timely fashion, evac a lift in the incredibly unlikely event that it would be needed, is something the lift ops, patrol, and over all mountain safety, spends plenty of hours thinking about and training for, and when in doubt, they're going to err on the safety side of things, and for many reasons, Slidebrook is in a category of its own when it comes to that safety planning

 

[HowieT2]

My question is, why can't Slidebrook be accessed with ATV's if there isn't snow? Why do you need snow cats?

I'm just guessing but maybe they don't have a fleet of atv's like they do snowmobiles

 

[SpyHop]

There are lifts in Europe that put Slidebrook to shame with respect to difficulty of access, length and especially height. Think of some of the trams, and even many lifts here in the US like JAX tram or T-Ride cross mountain lift to the village, so I don't fully understand the "needs snowcat access" logic.

 

[Hawk]

So you get out there in the depths of slidebrook and you evac the people. Those people are not going to walk in ski boots for a mile and a half out to the road. There has to be snow all the way out.

 

[SpyHop]

So you get out there in the depths of slidebrook and you evac the people. Those people are not going to walk in ski boots for a mile and a half out to the road. There has to be snow all the way out.

Take off the shell and walk in the liner. Evac team has duct tape to secure the liner tight. Not too hard actually.

 

[Mak]

Take off the shell and walk in the liner. Evac team has duct tape to secure the liner tight. Not too hard actually.

Ever try to walk in 40" deep snow in the winter in your liners? Ever have to walk downslope in untracked woods in deep snow without boots on?
There's a reason emergency evac people continually tell people to leave their skis on if they're in the woods.

 

[deadheadskier]

All I was saying is I don't recall ASC requiring snow pack to run that lift. Is it a local decision, insurance company or the state?

While not as remote, over half of stage 1 of Killington Skyeship is not over a ski trail. They don't require snowpack to open it.

 

[Hawk]

I really can't wait until they decommission that f-ing lift and take it down actually. It's closed because they chose not to open it. That's about it.

 

[deadheadskier]

I really can't wait until they decommission that f-ing lift and take it down actually. It's closed because they chose not to open it. That's about it.

I'd probably feel that way as a SB regular too. I mentioned it earlier, but as someone who gets to SB rarely these days, it sure is nice to have to quickly access all of my favorites on both sides in a single day. I'm not sure I would bother with the shuttle, but pretty much every time I've been to SB and it's open I ride it.

 

[SpyHop]

Ever try to walk in 40" deep snow in the winter in your liners? Ever have to walk downslope in untracked woods in deep snow without boots on?
There's a reason emergency evac people continually tell people to leave their skis on if they're in the woods.

The comment was addressing the problem if there is no snowpack. If there is snowpack as you mention, then the snowcats can run.

 

[jimmywilson69]

so let me get this straight.

If there is no snow, you want ski patrol and whomever else gets mobilized to rescue skiers from Slide Brook, to drive in on atvs and lower said people to the ground. Ask the stranded skiers to take off their ski boots and pull out the liners. Then said Sugarbush staff is going to hand them a roll of duct tape and they are to create soles on the liners (some of which likely cost more than a pair of skis). Then they are going to be instructed to walk out of the woods carrying not only their skis, but their ski boots as well. All the while traversing a mile + back country hike that they are likely to encounter pockets of unmelted snow, mud, streams, sticks, rocks, etc.

 

[skiur]

Take off the shell and walk in the liner. Evac team has duct tape to secure the liner tight. Not too hard actually.

I'm sorry but I'm not going to destroy my boot liners costing me hundreds of dollars.

 

[SpyHop]

I'm sorry but I'm not going to destroy my boot liners costing me hundreds of dollars.

How many evacs has this lift ever had in its entire history of "running"? Once again, there are much more remote lifts and higher access points on other lifts throughhout the world. Somehow they manage to assess the risks and determine solutions. Guessing the mountain would cover the cost of liners and/or boots if there truly is a dire emergency.

 

[jimmywilson69]

I'd recommend you not get into the ski area ops business.

 

[deadheadskier]

so let me get this straight.

If there is no snow, you want ski patrol and whomever else gets mobilized to rescue skiers from Slide Brook, to drive in on atvs and lower said people to the ground. Ask the stranded skiers to take off their ski boots and pull out the liners. Then said Sugarbush staff is going to hand them a roll of duct tape and they are to create soles on the liners (some of which likely cost more than a pair of skis). Then they are going to be instructed to walk out of the woods carrying not only their skis, but their ski boots as well. All the while traversing a mile + back country hike that they are likely to encounter pockets of unmelted snow, mud, streams, sticks, rocks, etc.

 

[snoseek]

I mean if it never runs then you don't really run into that problem.

 

[urungus]

so let me get this straight.

If there is no snow, you want ski patrol and whomever else gets mobilized to rescue skiers from Slide Brook, to drive in on atvs and lower said people to the ground. Ask the stranded skiers to take off their ski boots and pull out the liners. Then said Sugarbush staff is going to hand them a roll of duct tape and they are to create soles on the liners (some of which likely cost more than a pair of skis). Then they are going to be instructed to walk out of the woods carrying not only their skis, but their ski boots as well. All the while traversing a mile + back country hike that they are likely to encounter pockets of unmelted snow, mud, streams, sticks, rocks, etc.

They could use the ATVs to ferry people out, no need for them to walk

 

[tumbler]

Under ASC it ran everyday regardless of snow pack. It was an operational decision under SV to have it dependent on snow depth, perhaps there was insurance involved. For the nice sunny days I would ride the lift, the shuttle stinks.

 

[Newpylong]

Yep, the lift ran every single day under ASC regardless of snow when both areas were open. Was there from 95 to 99 and witnessed it with my own eyes.

The only reason the lift gets such a bad rap is because it doesn't run. If they ran the thing there wouldn't be silly comments like I can't wait until they rip it out, because it would be able to used anytime, which is what it was designed for.

 

[Smellytele]

I have actually just driven my own vehicle in between the 2 sides. Take one boot off and go. My wife and sons just left everything on.