urungus
Well-known member
Is shutting down a chair during the middle of the day to switch sheaves really “maintaining it properly” ?
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VAIL SUCKS
- Thread starter thebigo
- Start date
jimmywilson69
Well-known member
yes Its a safety concern.
urungus
Well-known member
For sure it is a safety concern. But if the chairlift had been maintained/inspected properly, could the issue have been noticed/rectified before requiring a mid-day replacement during operating hours ?
AdironRider
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 27, 2005
- Messages
- 3,685
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Lifts get worked on year round, and that includes during ski season (if not more so because ski season is when the majority of the wear and tear occurs). The idea that Park City should not have to replace or fix a single thing during a 5 month operating season or else they suck at their job is ridiculous.
And save the operating hours bullshit. Expecting all lift work / maintenance to be completed at night during winter is absurd.
And save the operating hours bullshit. Expecting all lift work / maintenance to be completed at night during winter is absurd.
BenedictGomez
Well-known member
It doesn't get dark here until 8pm, so the fact they said they'd shut it down from 12:15 to 1:15 to replace one, suggests it was discovered intraday and not planned.
And the fact it was actually down the rest of the day and a good chunk of the next day as well rather than just "one hour" suggests perhaps they found additional sheaves/problems that also needed to be addressed.
Those 2 lifts are 19 & 27 years old respectively, so luckily it wasn't a part that isn't made anymore, that's why Pioneer (~40 years old) was down most of this season, they needed to wait on a replacement part to be custom made. Sadly, given the age of America's lift fleet, I expect to see things like this more often in the coming years.
And the fact it was actually down the rest of the day and a good chunk of the next day as well rather than just "one hour" suggests perhaps they found additional sheaves/problems that also needed to be addressed.
Those 2 lifts are 19 & 27 years old respectively, so luckily it wasn't a part that isn't made anymore, that's why Pioneer (~40 years old) was down most of this season, they needed to wait on a replacement part to be custom made. Sadly, given the age of America's lift fleet, I expect to see things like this more often in the coming years.
drjeff
Well-known member
Do you know when exactly you're going to run over say a nail in the road and get a flat tire? Predicting when say a bearing on a sheave may go isn't that much different of a concept.
Now lets say that most lifts have say an average of 10 sheaves per sheave train (so roughly 20 per tower with the "up" and "down" sides of the tower accounted for as well as that the haul rope passes over some sheaves on under some others on most towers). Let's say that on average a lift has 15-20 towers, that's then 300 to 400 sheaves per lift, then lets say that a resort has 10 lifts, that's 3000 to 4000 sheaves. It's not uncommon, even with all the presecribed daily and weekly checks ops does to the sheaves on a tower, that on occasion, one may have an issue and need replacing. There very likely isn't much more to it than that
drjeff
Well-known member
100% agree with you!
The reality is that a sizeable percentage of the lift fleet at ski resorts across the country is getting close to the end of it's functional, reliable lifespan. And much of that function and reliability will be due to the ability to source parts when needed, and potential source parts that are for lifts who manufacturer has long since stopped manufacturing lifts.
It's also why, especially with earlier generation highspeed lifts (say those installed in the early/mid 80's to the early/mid 90's) that now have 30 to 40 years of service on them, many of them are in essence "1st generation" detachable lifts where the industry as a whole has some solid ideas about how long they will reliably last (even with impecable regular maintenance) but the truth is they really don't know for sure. Fixed grips, they likely feel good they can get 50 years or more out of. Highspeeds, not quite as sure, and that why were starting to see some of these earlier highspeed lifts have a bunch of issues popping up. And resorts, and lift manufacturers who may be supporting those installed lifts, will have to decide if a rebuild of most of the "guts" of an older lift or building a new replacement lift, is the best practices way to go. And that's likley something that will be determined over the next decade or so
kingslug
Well-known member
And these things are loaded up way more than they used to be. Pc is busy every day now.
Black Phantom
Active member
Dude-"Right? I mean, complain when lifts break. Then complain when we maintain them! These ungrateful AZers just don't appreciate how truly EPIC we are here!"
He’s not gonna date you
kingslug
Well-known member
And just like that..the Sundance film festival moved to Boulder Colorado...
Good riddance maybe more long term rentals will become available when all the airbnbs can’t make money.
I get that, but man, this is a huge blow to the Utah economy. Huge. Sure, rentals may be cheaper, but a lot of folks are going to lose income and jobs now.
kingslug
Well-known member
I imagine stuff like this didnt help...the vibe..
You definitely know more about it then me but doesn’t the state pay Sundance to be here? Im sure it generates some money too but it seems like it mostly benefits the stores and rentals in Park City more than anything else.
That Katz Kar Park is rising!
4aprice
Well-known member
Boulder can have it. At least Boulder is not in the mountains screwing up the skiing.
kingslug
Well-known member
It was a good time to ski...slopes somewhat empty.
Well..its only about 150 million in lost revenue....
Bet the stores and hotels are real..happy.
Well..its only about 150 million in lost revenue....
Bet the stores and hotels are real..happy.
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