Why do some chairlifts go this way, not that way???

[billski]

Why is it some chairlift cables run clockwise around the bull wheel and others run counter clockwise? Does it have anything to do with prevailing winds?

 

[SkiDork]

Why is it some chairlift cables run clockwise around the bull wheel and others run counter clockwise? Does it have anything to do with prevailing winds?

good question.

I'm thinking about the South Ridge triple at K - why doesn't the neck snapper bull go to the downside instead of the upside?

 

[thetrailboss]

good question.

I'm thinking about the South Ridge triple at K - why doesn't the neck snapper bull go to the downside instead of the upside?

IIRC from reading Lorentz's book and chatting about it on KZone, the reason was that Smith originally wanted the upper part to be available for early and late season skiing, and to allow novices to either get on or off rather than ski the harder terrain. Both ideas never came to fruition. Also, he wanted a triangular chairlift because he saw one at another resort.

As to why some lifts run counterclockwise and others clockwise, my understanding is that it has to do with trail layout, resort preference, and to some extent manufacturer preference (most of the Hall lifts I have rode on are clockwise). You can have lifts run either way.

 

[SkiDork]

IIRC from reading Lorentz's book and chatting about it on KZone, the reason was that Smith originally wanted the upper part to be available for early and late season skiing, and to allow novices to either get on or off rather than ski the harder terrain. Both ideas never came to fruition. Also, he wanted a triangular chairlift because he saw one at another resort.

As to why some lifts run counterclockwise and others clockwise, my understanding is that it has to do with trail layout, resort preference, and to some extent manufacturer preference (most of the Hall lifts I have rode on are clockwise). You can have lifts run either way.

AFA the South Ridge trip - The big turn certainly looks like it was meant for a mid station getoff... Good call

 

[ctenidae]

Obviously, if they turned the other way the chairs would be backwards.

Duh.

 

[SkiDork]

shweet! Backwards skiing!!!!

 

[ctenidae]

shweet! Backwards skiing!!!!

Unloading's not bad, but getting on the lift is a biatch.

 

[SkiDork]

he can do it

 

[thetrailboss]

AFA the South Ridge trip - The big turn certainly looks like it was meant for a mid station getoff... Good call

I think that before they could build the midstation they realized that the exposure of that area did not lend itself well to late or early season skiing. But that was the plan.

 

[billski]

Obviously, if they turned the other way the chairs would be backwards.

Duh.

Have you experienced oxygen depletion lately? :-D

 

[Mapnut]

Wouldn't it be a factor which side you want the line to form on at the bottom, depending on where space is available and how the trails come in? Doesn't seem to matter at the top. I'm not sure, I'll have to think about it next time I'm out.

 

[deadheadskier]

Wildcat's set up is an interesting one, not for the direction the wheel turns, but when you get on, you are perpendicular to the hill. Don't recall seeing such a set up anywhere else.

 

[mondeo]

Wildcat's set up is an interesting one, not for the direction the wheel turns, but when you get on, you are perpendicular to the hill. Don't recall seeing such a set up anywhere else.

Ramshead and new Skye Peak quads load perpendicular. Little bit different situation on a detachable.

I gotta figure the main thing is that people load on the side you expect them to come from.

 

[57stevey]

Ragged's 6-pack loads perpendicular as well. On the rare occasion when there is any kind of line, it is a little annoying if you're coming from the "wrong" (i.e. Easy Winder/Ridge/Glades) side.

 

[SkiDork]

hey Steve - hows Joey doin?

 

[sledhaulingmedic]

Magic's black chair is quite unique.

It spins CCW, yet the line forms on the skier's right (on the return side).

You go under the return line to get to the loading area. The first tower is only on the uphill side to hold the haulrope down.

I'm guessing Pohlig only made CCW drives. It would have been simpler to have it spin CW

 

[SkiDork]

Magic's black chair is quite unique.

It spins CCW, yet the line forms on the skier's right (on the return side).

You go under the return line to get to the loading area. The first tower is only on the uphill side to hold the haulrope down.

I'm guessing Pohlig only made CCW drives. It would have been simpler to have it spin CW