Worst 10 lifts in the East?

[Mapnut]

What's wrong with these pictures?

In the second picture, the clouds above the peak clearly indicate how the wind is whipping.

Actually, in my old days at Sugarloaf, I remember many days when the gondola was running but I didn't take it because the line was too long. I think the capacity was only about 400/hour. Also there was a no-gondola lift ticket that was a few dollars cheaper.

 

[wa-loaf]

What's wrong with these pictures?

I wish I had one of the old Gondi cabins. That's a million times cooler than a double chair swing.

 

[MadPatSki]

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).

Always help to have an TR around to refresh the memory. The breakdown didn't happen when I was there.

Wildcat October 28-29, 2005
http://madpatski.wordpress.com/2005/10/30/wildcat-nh-october-28-29-2005/

 

[riverc0il]

Always help to have an TR around to refresh the memory. The breakdown didn't happen when I was there.

Wildcat October 28-29, 2005
http://madpatski.wordpress.com/2005/10/30/wildcat-nh-october-28-29-2005/

Didn't happen on the 30th either:
http://www.thesnowway.com/2005/10/30/skiing-in-the-leaves-at-wildcat-mountain

 

[Puck it]

They were open on the 28th. I was there and have the pics.

 

[Edd]

Certainly not the worst but Saddleback's main double is inadequete for it's mission. Not bad as doubles go, but a quad is needed.

Agree with the comments about Rosebrook at BW. A perfectly good lift but what they're doing with it is weird. It would be better suited in a dedicated beginner area.

 

[dms63]

Double chair at Eaton Mountain (closed now but hopefully it will reopen) in Showhegan Maine. The seat is too short and after about 2 rides it kills your thighs. Unbelievably uncomfortable unless you are less than 4 feet tall. After 5 rides you are ready to start skinning to the top.

 

[JimmyPete]

Gore could really use some updating

North Quad and Top Ridge Triple both are painfully slow, both serve quieter parts of the mountain [maybe that's because they are so slow] . There is good skiing off both. The Adirondack Express drops you right into an always cold wind and then down a chute that many can't negotiate.

 

[Loafguy2000]

How about a funitel at sugarloaf on the old gondi line-- aren't those lifts supposedly more stable in higher wind? Cost be damned... I actually like the t-bar ideas better.. but a funitel would be cool (although it would move more people to the goods).

Interesting idea, but on those days that the lifts don't go to the summit, you really don't want to be on the summit. The wind would be blowing people off the top.

 

[skiNEwhere]

I'm amazed this hasn't been mentioned yet, the sunrise triple at K. I liked it somewhat when it ran from rt 100, even though it was almost a 2 mile and 20 minute ride, because it was a base.

Now, it serves pretty much all green territory, and is difficult to get to from the rest of the mountain. Maybe it's not the worst lift, but it is the most pointless. I think the only reason it is there now is to keep the condo owners happy

 

[steamboat1]

I'm amazed this hasn't been mentioned yet, the sunrise triple at K. I liked it somewhat when it ran from rt 100, even though it was almost a 2 mile and 20 minute ride, because it was a base.

Now, it serves pretty much all green territory, and is difficult to get to from the rest of the mountain. Maybe it's not the worst lift, but it is the most pointless. I think the only reason it is there now is to keep the condo owners happy

So what's wrong with that?

There are countless other areas that have lifts that basically serve residences, even parking lots.

At least Sunrise has a decent place for eat's & drinks at the bottom.

 

[deadheadskier]

So what's wrong with that?

There are countless other areas that have lifts that basically serve residences, even parking lots.

At least Sunrise has a decent place for eat's & drinks at the bottom.

In regards to the decent eat's & drinks; the only problem is you can't get back up the hill anymore. Though I imagine some folks today stash a car down there for the end of the day and rip up The Judge, Thunderball and Gold Dust on the way to grabbing some beers.

Absolutely correct in that plenty of areas have somewhat pointless terrain pods serving either residences or a parking lot. Hell, even Stowe has one with the Toll House Double. Even prior to Spruce Peak when the Inn at the Mountain and Condos were the only slopeside accommodations available; that terrain pod was completely dead. I worked at the Fireside Tavern in the Lodge there during 1995-6 season and one of my housemates was the top station lift opt for the Toll House Double. He got fired for falling asleep on the job too many times. During the week, it was not uncommon for 30-40 minutes to pass before he had to pay attention to someone getting off the lift. Talk about the most boring lift op job in the world.

I'd imagine Killington has a similar if not worse problem today in how underutilized the Sunrise lift is. ......but they gotta run the lift or risk lawsuits from the condo owners who were sold on lift served slopeside real estate when they bought their properties 30 years ago.

 

[MEtoVTSkier]

In regards to the decent eat's & drinks; the only problem is you can't get back up the hill anymore. Though I imagine some folks today stash a car down there for the end of the day and rip up The Judge, Thunderball and Gold Dust on the way to grabbing some beers.

I think he meant Sunrise Cafe at the base of the lift, or whatever it is called this year (formerly Noels's?), not the Back Behind at the base of the hill.

Thought I read somewhere that the Sunrise lift was now owned by the Sunrise Condo Association, and operated by Killington Resort... can't remember where I saw that.

 

[steamboat1]

I think he meant Sunrise Cafe at the base of the lift, or whatever it is called this year (formerly Noels's?), not the Back Behind at the base of the hill.

Yes I was talking about the Sunrise Cafe. Good place to eat on the mountain & it's usually not crowded because most people don't know it's there.

 

[deadheadskier]

Count me as someone who didn't know it was there. I haven't skied Sunrise since they closed the bottom half of the mountain.