Unofficial Networks Ranks the Top Ten Lifts in the World; Your East Top 10?

[WWF-VT]

Many other access points to Slide Brook. I think the Mt. Ellen summit quad offers the most vertical access to Slide Brook. How can you say the Slide Brook Express isn't cool. It goes both uphill & downhill & in the middle going over the actual brook it's got to hang the highest off the ground out of any lift with the exception of a tram.

I'm not saying that Slide Brook Express isn't cool. The North Lynx is the lift I was referring to as hardly qualifiying as cool but it is the most often used lift for Slidebrook access.

 

[steamboat1]

If we're gonna rank lifts according to terrain accessed my top 3 in the east would be:

*Maddona mountain double.

*Stowe Fourunner.

*MRG single.

 

[thetrailboss]

If we're gonna rank lifts according to terrain accessed my top 3 in the east would be:

*Maddona mountain double.

*Stowe Fourunner.

*MRG single.

Yeah, I'd consider those lifts as well. Lots of bang for the buck. I'm not familiar enough with Saddleback (ME) to consider any of those lifts.

 

[bvibert]

Note how the discussion has turned mostly to the terrain accessed by the lift rather than to the lift itself. The ranking should then be: coolest and most varied terrain accessed by a single lift. The emphasis being mostly about the nature of the terrain, with the "accessed by a single lift" being a side constraint rather than the point of the discussion.

Obviously, once you look at it that way, Skyeship Gondola is out, because the impressive stats about the lift itself are now tangential. What matters the most is the terrain, not the lift. Then the many doubles, triples and quads enter the debate even though there is nothing particularly interesting about the lift itself.

For all of these reasons, I propose the question be rephrased. We're not talking about the top lifts in the east, we are talking about the top terrain in the East that can be accessed by a single lift.

I disagree, the terrain plays into it, but the lift itself matters here too. The single chair is cool not just because of the terrain that it serves, but also because it's just cool. The castlerock double serves some great terrain, but I also love the incredibly large spacing between the chairs. The Magic Red Chair may seem boring and ordinary to most, but to me it has character, and most would agree that it serves some of the best terrain in southern VT.

 

[Glenn]

Mount Snow will have a nominee then in a few months.

The Bluebird Express will serve literally every trail on the entire mountain with the exception of 1 (Bear Trap), for the majority of their customer base, that's some pretty good terrain

1600+ vertical feet served - not too shabby for 1 lift ride

500+ acres of terrain - not a small number by any means

And the Blue bubble six pack, glorified flying couch, gets some coolness points for sure.

"Lift-o-witz" is going to deliver. I can't wait. :-D

 

[Smellytele]

Mount Snow will have a nominee then in a few months.

The Bluebird Express will serve literally every trail on the entire mountain with the exception of 1 (Bear Trap), for the majority of their customer base, that's some pretty good terrain

1600+ vertical feet served - not too shabby for 1 lift ride

500+ acres of terrain - not a small number by any means

And the Blue bubble six pack, glorified flying couch, gets some coolness points for sure.

It would say it won't serve every trail but can feed every trail. To serve means that if you skied a trail you can ride up on it which can not be true.

 

[SIKSKIER]

Whistlers Peak chair is pretty special and a little scary in my book and the terrain it serves is pretty sweet.While I'm at it,the Whistler gondola serves some pretty impressive numbers like 3800 vertical.

 

[Highway Star]

South Ridge Triple @ Killington.

 

[thetrailboss]

South Ridge Triple @ Killington.

Ha! RIP.

 

[MR. evil]

I'm going to use the criteria that they seem to use in this article:

* Vertical

* Acreage served

*Capacity

*Coolness factor as well

Good call on the Magic Red Chair.

Based on that criteria im suprised the Pali lift at A-Basin didn't make the list. That thing is freakin STEEP and over some sweet terrain. The lack of a safety bar makes it that much more interesting.

 

[thetrailboss]

Based on that criteria im suprised the Pali lift at A-Basin didn't make the list. That thing is freakin STEEP and over some sweet terrain. The lack of a safety bar makes it that much more interesting.

There were some lifts that were off the list, but when you look at what made it and the pictures, especially with lifts from Europe, you can see why.

 

[thetrailboss]

So some consistent names for the East Top Ten, especially with the same criteria that UON used and in no particular order, appear to include:

• Magic's Red Chair
• Smugg's Madonna Double
• Stowe's Fourrunner
• MRG's Single
• Wildcat's Quad
• Castlerock Chair
• Cannon Tram
• Jay Tram

Any others folks want to echo?

 

[steamboat1]

Yeah, I'd consider those lifts as well. Lots of bang for the buck. I'm not familiar enough with Saddleback (ME) to consider any of those lifts.

Saddleback is actually pretty tame although it is a great ski area. I love that corner of New England between Rangeley & the Loaf.

 

[steamboat1]

Thought about the Massif but have not been there in 15 years and they had no top to bottom lift then. Also, while the views are great the terrain is a bit bland with exception of a couple excellent runs.

Did they have any lifts back then? I remember the days when the only access was by a school bus that picked you up where the original base lodge is down by the St Lawrence & brought you back up to where the current summit lodge & parking is. It's not that long ago either. Lot's of fun back in those days.

They don't have the steepest terrain but lot's of long trails with a good steady pitch top to bottom plus some great glades.

Oh yeah & some of the best on mountain food I've ever had at any ski area.

 

[cannonist]

No one has thought to mention one of New Englands newest and high tech lifts... the SR CHONDOLA. Just though that needed to be mentioned.

 

[steamboat1]

No one has thought to mention one of New Englands newest and high tech lifts... the SR CHONDOLA. Just though that needed to be mentioned.

They've had a Chondola at Mt. Orford in Quebec for quite awhile now.

I believe Telluride, CO had the 1st one.

 

[skiberg]

I definitely agree that Massif has the best on mountain food around. Yes they had lifts, I think the buses were fazed out around 20 yrs ago. Totally wild though skiing and smelling the ocean.

 

[snoseek]

No one has thought to mention one of New Englands newest and high tech lifts... the SR CHONDOLA. Just though that needed to be mentioned.

I like Sunday River, always good times but man I freaking hate everything about that lift!

 

[snoseek]

Looking ahead, I feel like the new lift going in up at the loaf is going to be a game changer next winter.

 

[Gnarcissaro]

....SR CHONDOLA. Just though that needed to be mentioned.

And that's about all you can give it, a mention.

Based on the criteria, the Chondola isn't even close with it's puny vertical and access to mostly intermediate and beginner terrain and only minimal coolness factor. They put a gondola on the line every 4-5 chairs, so what?

I don't understand the hate with this lift though, SR has needed a lift to shoot you to mid-mountain quickly for years. I have no problem with the Chondola overall, though. If you wanna get on quick, or on a beautiful day take the lift. If you wanna kick back, have a beer or smoke, or if it's frigid then wait for the gondola.