Worst 10 lifts in the East?

[MadPatSki]

Perhaps it was mechanical? I was at Wildcat during one of their October openings and only rode the Tomcat. I think that was 2005.

Is wasn't mechanical or a windhold. The quad hadn't been inspected yet prior to the season, no one would have thought that Wildcat (or anyone else) would have opened on Natural Snow only in October. That is why the Tomcat Triple was the only lift. Anyway, Wildcat did an awesome job just getting open at all. There was so many reparations that needed to be done, especially that the power was knocked out with the storm.

 

[riverc0il]

Is wasn't mechanical or a windhold. The quad hadn't been inspected yet prior to the season, no one would have thought that Wildcat (or anyone else) would have opened on Natural Snow only in October. That is why the Tomcat Triple was the only lift. Anyway, Wildcat did an awesome job just getting open at all. There was so many reparations that needed to be done, especially that the power was knocked out with the storm.

cannonball was saying that they didn't run the Tomcat, not the HSQ (I think!?). I hiked to the summit anyways, good times.

 

[MadPatSki]

cannonball was saying that they didn't run the Tomcat, not the HSQ (I think!?). I hiked to the summit anyways, good times.

I just read his quote. In October 2005, Tomcat (that the Triple, right?) ran, it was the only lift running. I did one hike to the summit, waist deep snow...not easy. Didn't really need to, I preferred ducking.

 

[Smellytele]

I'll let you in on a little secret if you promise not to tell anyone. Since I started doing this, I never used the quads again. Take walk up to lift C which is the Magic Carpet, take that to lift D, Sachem Quad.. Once you do that, you have access to all other lifts.... I like doing this because 1. I avoid the Quads, 2. I think I look real cool on Magic Carpet. I even start playing air guitar to Magic Carpet Ride

I mentioned that to the wife the last time we were there but she said I wouldn't look good on the magic carpet.

PS - I did the same thing saying I would never ski there again and i haven't in the last 4 years.

 

[Smellytele]

Yes the lift is slow. Very slow. But lets not go as far as saying Waterville is a joke.

I should have been more specific, High Country is home to some of least known stashes in nh.

Where are these low pitch stashes of which you speak? Skiers left is sucked up by the racers usually and the skiers right is low pitch, stop you in your tracks if there is more than 5 inches of fresh snow.

 

[cannonist]

You can ask around if you want to find the stashes. Keyword: Indian Burial Grounds.
Don't critique if youve never skied them.

 

[steamboat1]

Even if the lift serves its purpose, it is hands down the slowest lift in the region (has any one been on a slower chairlift ever any where?).

Personally I think the old Big Spruce double at Stowe wins that contest...

 

[riverc0il]

Personally I think the old Big Spruce double at Stowe wins that contest...

I should have clarified "Current Running". In a long enough time line of lost lifts, I am sure there are quite a few as slow or slower. :lol:

 

[Geoff]

Where are these low pitch stashes of which you speak? Skiers left is sucked up by the racers usually and the skiers right is low pitch, stop you in your tracks if there is more than 5 inches of fresh snow.

Sounds like you need wider skis. I love skiing low pitch terrain on a powder day with powder boards. Long after the steeper terrain is scraped back to fossilized base, the low pitch stuff still gives you a quiet ride.

 

[bobbutts]

The carpet to sachem is an ok trick, but sachem is horribly slow too.
RE: Okemo bashing. I think Okemo is pretty good for early season due to their snowmaking. I have prefer their offerings to Killington's overcrowded early season lineup. Once there's more snow, their lack of challenging terrain has them fall off my radar.

 

[dms63]

Tempest at SR
West Mountain at SL

 

[Cannonball]

Is wasn't mechanical or a windhold. The quad hadn't been inspected yet prior to the season, no one would have thought that Wildcat (or anyone else) would have opened on Natural Snow only in October. That is why the Tomcat Triple was the only lift. Anyway, Wildcat did an awesome job just getting open at all. There was so many reparations that needed to be done, especially that the power was knocked out with the storm.

cannonball was saying that they didn't run the Tomcat, not the HSQ (I think!?). I hiked to the summit anyways, good times.

That's right, it was '05 and now I remember. The Tomcat was open but not the quad (didn't realize the inspection thing). But the freak'n Tomcat broke down around noon! I was "fortunate" enough to be on it when it broke down so was one of the last to hike the summit once I finally offloaded. (this was not the opening day but maybe the 2nd or 3rd day of that early opening. Oct 31 if I remember right).

But many, many times I've been at Wildcat for pow days when they can't run the HSQ. So frustrating. The sliver of silver lining is that Wildcat is probably the best option in the east for Pow days 1-2-3 days after a storm since they rarely run the lift during actual snow days.

 

[skibum636]

1a at Greek Peak. Should be called Spill 1a. Only runs on slow speed, lots of creaky chairs, chairs with broke footrests, lots of drips/grease... Constant breakdowns due to faulty safety switches, broken sheaves, electrical problems. Have to skate up hill past the faster more mechanically sound chair to get the good terrain... Many great days severely compromised thanks to their "newest" lift.

 

[thetrailboss]

1a at Greek Peak. Should be called Spill 1a. Only runs on slow speed, lots of creaky chairs, chairs with broke footrests, lots of drips/grease... Constant breakdowns due to faulty safety switches, broken sheaves, electrical problems. Have to skate up hill past the faster more mechanically sound chair to get the good terrain... Many great days severely compromised thanks to their "newest" lift.

And this lift passes inspection how?

 

[threecy]

Keyword: Indian Burial Grounds.

I haven't explored much in that vicinity, but I suspect there could be some good steeps near there.

 

[Puck it]

You can ask around if you want to find the stashes. Keyword: Indian Burial Grounds.
Don't critique if youve never skied them.

We have talked about this before. I know where the lower entrance is. I will have to check it out with my two free passes with my Cannon pass.

 

[deadheadskier]

I'll let you in on a little secret if you promise not to tell anyone. Since I started doing this, I never used the quads again. Take walk up to lift C which is the Magic Carpet, take that to lift D, Sachem Quad.. Once you do that, you have access to all other lifts.... I like doing this because 1. I avoid the Quads, 2. I think I look real cool on Magic Carpet. I even start playing air guitar to Magic Carpet Ride

Having skied Okemo probably 600 times in my life, I've certainly done that trick. It used to be better when they had the Poma there as it went pretty much right up to the base of Sachem, you only had to skate about 30 feet around the bullwheel to get to the lift.

I'm someone who actually likes Okemo. I think it's one of the best mountains in the East for ripping groomers. I just think their lift layout is garbage and was surprised to see them repeat the same mistake over at Jackson Gore as they have at the main base.

 

[deadheadskier]

Shooting Star at Stratton. The 6 pack to nowhere...

Only been to Stratton once. This is definitely a misplaced lift.

I would've loved to ski Stratton when they had the Kidderbrook Quad. There's some really fine tree skiing over that way, but it sucks you have ski that long run out and take two lifts to lap them.

 

[Gnarcissaro]

Huh?......Even if the lift serves its purpose, it is hands down the slowest lift in the region (has any one been on a slower chairlift ever any where?).

Exactly. Worst... Lift.... Ever.

I used to work it in college. If the line was full of weight, I'd have to "turn up" the dial. (Yes, a round knob which controlled the lift speed.) People seemed to know this, as they'd tell me to do just that. As the line unloaded more it would speed up a lot and I'd have to turn it back down. What a piece of crap.

Oh, it services a couple of good 3-400 foot stashes? (Yes, I've rode them. Er some of them, as I haven't fully explored there.) Still the worst lift ever.

And yes, the marketing at Waterville looks like a joke when they try to pass the top of the lift as 4004 feet, and the vertical as what it is when most people use the top of the quad as the top of the resort. Gimme a break, we're not stupid.

 

[SkiBud]

Totally agree, it rare to ride the lift without it stopping. Everyone I know that ski Sunday River avoids it if at all possible

Tempest Quad at Sunday River. Painfully slow and even though it isn't a typically busy lift, it seems to stop constantly. It feels like it takes forever to get to the top and I would probably ski out of White Cap more often if there was a high speed quad there.