What is wrong with Minuteman lift at Wa?

[JasonE]

OK... now I'm getting frustrated. No sign of anything with regards to getting the Minuteman lift running, with all of Wa's intermediate terrain inaccessible. I'm getting sick of Indian Summer and Sundowner, but have never been comfortable coming off the summit on Wachusett.

I'm beginning to regret spending the money on a pass - I don't even want to go skiing tomorrow despite the fresh snowfall, because there just aren't any trails I particularly want to ski.

Does anyone know what is actually wrong with that lift, and what the ETA is on repairing it? 95% of the skiing I do at Wa is off that lift, and I'm majorly bumming right now.

Jason

 

[Zand]

The website says it should be open by Saturday, but right now the chairs aren't even on the line. Not that putting them back on takes long on a detachable, but it indicates that theres a pretty big problem with the lift. They started making snow around the base of the lift yesterday so thats a start as far as the trails go.

 

[BushMogulMaster]

Not that putting them back on takes long on a detachable, but it indicates that theres a pretty big problem with the lift.

Maybe, but not necessarily. Could have just been a required 100% NDT year on grips. I think it's 20% every year, or 100% every 4, or something like that. Not really sure... I'll have to look it up.

However, maybe it didn't pass inspection, and they had to do a splice. Maybe they needed a haul rope replacement. Who knows. But splicers are pretty in demand, so if it was wire rope related, they've probably been waiting for one of the splicers to be available.

I tend to be patient and understanding with things like that. Even if you keep up with your maintenance, things can unexpectedly go wrong. I'm sure they're doing everything they can to get that chair a turnin'.

 

[soulseller]

OK... now I'm getting frustrated. No sign of anything with regards to getting the Minuteman lift running, with all of Wa's intermediate terrain inaccessible. I'm getting sick of Indian Summer and Sundowner, but have never been comfortable coming off the summit on Wachusett.

I'm beginning to regret spending the money on a pass - I don't even want to go skiing tomorrow despite the fresh snowfall, because there just aren't any trails I particularly want to ski.

Does anyone know what is actually wrong with that lift, and what the ETA is on repairing it? 95% of the skiing I do at Wa is off that lift, and I'm majorly bumming right now.

Jason

I think you need to have a little patience, its only December 3. I would give them till this weekend when they claim they will have it back up and then if its not up then maybe you'll have a reasonable gripe.

 

[wa-loaf]

I'm beginning to regret spending the money on a pass - I don't even want to go skiing tomorrow despite the fresh snowfall, because there just aren't any trails I particularly want to ski.

Last year at this time they weren't even open. It's a long season. Racing on Challenger starts in January, but I'd expect it to be up and running by Christmas at the latest. Unless it's really F'd up.

 

[Zand]

Update:

Rest assured skiers and riders Minuteman lift will open by the weekend of December 15th.

Another delay, but snowmaking begins tonight on Ralph's, Challenger, Look Mom, and Hitchcock.

 

[MikeTrainor]

This thread got me looking at Wawa's website. I noticed there was a nice link over to alpinezone from their chat section.

http://wawa.wachusett.com/community/chat/default.cfm

 

[Mildcat]

with all of Wa's intermediate terrain inaccessible. I'm getting sick of Indian Summer and Sundowner, but have never been comfortable coming off the summit on Wachusetts.

Jason

Have you ever skied Conifer? If you haven't you should try it. It's a wide blue cruiser and it is groomed all the time. I could be wrong but I think the bottom of Ralphs and Challenger are as steep or steeper than conifer so if you're comfortable on those you should have no problem on Conifer.

Go out and have fun.

 

[artooman]

I was just at WAWA tonight, and the conditions were amazing for this time of year. There was about 3-4 inches of power without a single scratch all night. People in the lift line were complaining when we got there. I got worried until I realized that they were complaining about the "bumps" and "choppiness". They were clearly out of their mind.

This is really early for them to be open given the climate and elevation in Mass. Give it time. Only Dec. 3rd!

There is one steep section on Conifer (by the big orange sign) that is a bit steeper than challenger, but it is relatively short. The rest of the trail is pretty moderate. If you are comfortable with Challenger and you have your ski legs back from running Indian Summer, then you might consider this trail. The conditions are so good right now that it would a good time to step up if you feel up for it.

 

[awf170]

Sweet they are making snow on Smith instead of in the Minuteman area. Smith and 10th would never be open this early if wasn't for the Minuteman quad crapping out. Maybe there will be moguls on 10th soon since the two other major trails are open. Thank you Minuteman quad...

 

[MichaelJ]

However, maybe it didn't pass inspection, and they had to do a splice.

:idea:

 

[BushMogulMaster]

Um, was that a yes?

 

[Mark_151]

http://www.snowjournal.com/page.php?cid=topic12293

This thread has some good incite as to what's going on. Apparently, it's several things all at once. Hopefully it'll get resolved soon.

 

[MichaelJ]

Yes, a reliable bird told me it's a splice issue, though as that thread reveals, other things are happening as well...

 

[Zand]

Update: Snowmaking is ongoing on Smith and on both Vickery Bowl trails. Vickery Bowl should make up a little bit for Minuteman being down, but getting to it for intermediates will be another issue. Also, a park will be open on Frannie's very soon.

 

[Phildozer]

It is a splice issue.

The rope was spliced by an unnamed local company and the job they did was not satisfactory, which although safe, would yield excessive vibrations due to the speed of the Quad.

Wachusett is bringing someone in from Colorado to clean things up and get things moving again.

T

 

[wa-loaf]

Looks like the guy from Colorado made it. Pic of the day is cable splicing:
http://wawa.wachusett.com/featuredphotos/

 

[jack97]

I was there this past sat nite; the summit lift was packed after 5 pm . Lift line attendees were non existent at times. Kids didn't want to ride up in groups of four. People were cutting in line. A big mess. I'll be happy when they get the mid mnt lift going.

 

[Zand]

Quick check of the webcam and it was testing earlier. Looks like we'll be skiing over there tomorrow or at the latest Saturday.

 

[Zand]

Good News: Minuteman is open.