The "Sugarbush Thread"

[Getskied]

Pretty good day at Mt Ellen and typical conditions for January. Having North Ridge down seems kind of nostalgic.

Right? It’s nostalgic and basically normal at this point. I do wish that Sunny Q would get with the program though. The kids programs would benefit from the terrain it serves especially on a cold-ssa January day like today.

It’s low tide out there for sure although some nice turns to be had on trail. FIS skied quite nicely on either side of the whales.

 

[Newpylong]

Hypothetically: If you could snap your fingers and tomorrow, in place of NRX, there's a new, properly running fixed grip quad. Same alignment. Would you take that?
I know it wouldn't ever actually happen but I'm curious what people think. A slow but new and reliable North Ridge lift vs the current failure prone NRX and the prospect of (god only knows when) future replacement?

At 5600+ rope length and as cold as that lift is? Hell no. Might as well ride down to GMX and then ride Summit.

Replace it with the correct lift in due time which is another HSQ.

 

[djd66]

Hypothetically: If you could snap your fingers and tomorrow, in place of NRX, there's a new, properly running fixed grip quad. Same alignment. Would you take that?
I know it wouldn't ever actually happen but I'm curious what people think. A slow but new and reliable North Ridge lift vs the current failure prone NRX and the prospect of (god only knows when) future replacement?

Horrible idea. When NRX is running properly, it’s my favorite lift on the mountain. All vertical, no runout,… a bazillion options- trees, moguls, cruisers.

 

[cdskier]

Agreed with newpy and djd. Any NRX replacement needs to be high speed.

 

[HowieT2]

Hypothetically: If you could snap your fingers and tomorrow, in place of NRX, there's a new, properly running fixed grip quad. Same alignment. Would you take that?
I know it wouldn't ever actually happen but I'm curious what people think. A slow but new and reliable North Ridge lift vs the current failure prone NRX and the prospect of (god only knows when) future replacement?

I would. Said same awhile ago but most responses were negative.

 

[cdskier]

In addition to the reasons already cited by newpy and djd, another reason that a replacement with a fixed grip chair would be a bad idea is it would send the message that ME is not important and a 2nd class citizen.

 

[HowieT2]

Agreed with newpy and djd. Any NRX replacement needs to be high speed.

That’s all well and good but apparently it ain’t happening for at least a few seasons.

 

[HowieT2]

In addition to the reasons already cited by newpy and djd, another reason that a replacement with a fixed grip chair would be a bad idea is it would send the message that ME is not important and a 2nd class citizen.

Kind of like having a hsq that is only running 10% of the time?

 

[HowieT2]

Kind of like having a hsq that is only running 10% of the time?

Don’t misunderstand me, I agree it should be a hs, but the current situation which has been an ongoing saga for many years, is intolerable.

 

[HowieT2]

Horrible idea. When NRX is running properly, it’s my favorite lift on the mountain. All vertical, no runout,… a bazillion options- trees, moguls, cruisers.

All true but the caveat is the lift has to operate to be of any use.

 

[Newpylong]

If we're talking about 2nd class citizens, it's also time to get Slidebrook Express into play. Pretending it's not there doesn't help anyone.

I was one of those punks at GMVS at the time in '95 and watched them fly the towers in. That lift ran every single day of the week when it wasn't arctic and there was enough snow (which seemed far less than what is claimed is necessary now) to get rescue in and out.

 

[cdskier]

Don’t misunderstand me, I agree it should be a hs, but the current situation which has been an ongoing saga for many years, is intolerable.

Because for some reason everyone keeps thinking they have some great new way to "fix" it every year. Maybe they get it running smoothly the rest of the season and this becomes moot. But I have my doubts.

I agree it is ridiculous at this point, but putting in a fixed grip replacement is a long-term bad investment that we'll all be stuck with for a much longer time than simply waiting for a proper replacement.

 

[cdskier]

If we're talking about 2nd class citizens, it's also time to get Slidebrook Express into play. Pretending it's not there doesn't help anyone.

I was one of those punks at GMVS at the time in '95 and watched them fly the towers in. That lift ran every single day of the week when it wasn't arctic and there was enough snow (which seemed far less than what is claimed is necessary now) to get rescue in and out.

To be fair, CR isn't even running yet and that is higher elevation than the service roads in Slide Brook. I don't think they're just pretending it isn't there.

 

[SkiingInABlueDream]

It sounds like some of you may have answered a different question than what I actually asked. OBVIOUSLY NR as a high speed is ideal and what we all want. But the reality is that, in the more general sense, when you currently don't have what you want, and it's unknown when or even if you'll ever get it, you become increasingly open to lesser options, because usually a lesser-something is better than nothing. (You may want filet mignon but if you're really hungry McDonalds can be very satisfying.) My takeaway from the replies so far is that either you're not hungry enough or are content not eating (for now).

edit. That said, I asked for opinions... and you gave'em

 

[SkiingInABlueDream]

Maybe I should have phrased the question this way: Would you rather have a new well-running FGQ at NR, or nothing. NRX is gone. Terminals, towers, everything, gone. No other option. Do you choose A or B?

edit. And FWIW I'm not saying I that I think they should actually put an FGQ there.

 

[NewEnglander77]

Rumor alert. I overheard 2 guys on the lift last week chatting about them taking down NR end of this season. One of the guys referenced a discussion he had with management about this and when it was going to be made public or how long they can keep it from going public.

Doesn't make sense why they would do this without a replacement unless it needs capex they aren't prepared for. Again just a rumor.

It certainly would go a long way to get some communication from management and Alterra about what the next several years look like. Would make it easier to absorb the painful short term if there is a commitment to make improvements that is just over the horizon.

 

[cdskier]

 

[SkiingInABlueDream]

At 5600+ rope length and as cold as that lift is? Hell no. Might as well ride down to GMX and then ride Summit.

I agree it'd be quite long but I think Id still rather sit on a FG NR than take those 2 lifts. That and Summit itself already is equally chilly.
edit. Well, I remember riding the Bonnie double, original Sunrise and Skye Peak (Killington) so maybe I have too much tolerance for cold slow lifts. (as long as they're moving!)

Horrible idea. When NRX is running properly, it’s my favorite lift on the mountain. All vertical, no runout,… a bazillion options- trees, moguls, cruisers.

Yeah I agree when NRX is working, it's great.

In addition to the reasons already cited by newpy and djd, another reason that a replacement with a fixed grip chair would be a bad idea is it would send the message that ME is not important and a 2nd class citizen.

I agree that a lift downgrade would send a message. But is ME not already 2nd class? (ok then I guess it'd be even more 2nd class.) But, fair point.

 

[cdskier]

I agree it'd be quite long but I think Id still rather sit on a FG NR than take those 2 lifts. That and Summit itself is equally chilly.

I'd actually say Summit is not that chilly a lot of the time. It is fairly well protected (especially once you're above Black Diamond) unless you get wind coming straight down the line. NRX on the other hand is unprotected in numerous spots.

I agree that a lift downgrade would send a message. But is ME not already 2nd class? (ok then I guess it'd be even more 2nd class.) But, fair point.

How it is viewed today wasn't my point, more-so it would show you how management views ME long-term. We've heard from time to time "we care about ME, it is important, etc, etc". But taking that action of a down-grade would remove any doubt about how ME is really classified.

 

[urungus]

To be fair, CR isn't even running yet and that is higher elevation than the service roads in Slide Brook. I don't think they're just pretending it isn't there.

But CR chair is not closed due to lack of snow on evac route, so not a fair comparison.