Year: 2022

Park City Lift Mechanics and Electricians File Union Petition

Peter Landsman8 Comments

The lift maintenance department at Vail Resorts-owned Park City Mountain could be the first in the United States to unionize under a plan announced today. A group of mechanics and electricians filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board to form the Park City Lift Maintenance Professional Union, which would be would be part of the Communications Workers of America 7781 – the United Professional Ski Patrols of America. A press release states the petition was submitted with 80 percent support.

In March, Vail Resorts raised its minimum wage for US maintenance technicians to $21 per hour however the union says there are issues beyond just compensation. “The members of the mechanics team face dangerous work conditions, chronic understaffing, and low pay that is not commensurate with the precarity of their work or cost of living,” said the CWA. “These issues contribute to constant employee turnover, which makes it impossible to cultivate a crew of experienced mechanics, and their work often goes unappreciated despite being essential to the resort’s functioning. The workers have decided that self-advocacy as a unionized crew will combat these issues, and create a safe and equitable working environment for all.”

CWA 7781 currently represents some 650 ski patrollers in the Mountain West and Pacific Northwest, most recently adding Purgatory Resort bike patrollers to its ranks. The CWA also represents patrol staff at Vail Resorts properties including Breckenridge, Crested Butte and Stevens Pass.

“The prosperity, happiness, and safety of the mechanics and electricians in Lift Maintenance has been a discussion for years,” said Liesl Jenkins, a lift mechanic at Park City Mountain Resort. “Having a voice and the opportunity to negotiate with our employer is paramount to the retention of mechanics and electricians, as well as experience, in our department.”

The petition starts multi-step process between the National Labor Relations Board, the union and employer before a possible formal union vote.

Update: Park City Mountain Vice President & Chief Operating Officer Deirdra Walsh provided the following statement regarding the unionization effort:

“We’re committed to constant improvement of our employee experience, which includes our significant investment in employee wages and affordable housing for this season, among other steps. We’re proud of our efforts so far but know this work is ongoing. I’ve always believed in an open-door policy and encourage employees to communicate directly with me and our leadership team. My number one priority is working together with employees to hear and address their concerns. We believe a direct relationship with our team works best rather than through a third party, but we respect the decision of our teammates to choose.”

Park City Mountain Vice President & Chief Operating Officer Deirdra Walsh

Doppelmayr Acquires Cabin Manufacturer Carvatech

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Austrian ropeway cabin producer Carvatech has joined the Doppelmayr Group effective today. Carvatech, which manufactures gondola, aerial tramway, funicular and automated people mover carriers, will remain an independent brand under the Doppelmayr umbrella. Carvatech’s 50 employees will continue to be based in Oberweis, where the company has operated since 1956.

Doppelmayr also owns Swiss cabin manufacturer CWA Constructions, which it acquired in 2002. While the majority of Doppelmayr and Garaventa ropeways built today feature CWA cabins, Carvatech and Doppelmayr routinely partner on projects. The largest example in the USA is the Oakland Airport Connector, a Doppelmayr Cable Liner automated people mover in California.

“With Carvatech and CWA under one umbrella, we will strengthen our utmost expertise in carrier engineering and vehicle bodymaking on the world market within our Group,” noted Thomas Pichler, Executive Director of Doppelmayr Holding SE. “Carvatech is a profitable company that is optimally positioned in the market,” he continued. “We are convinced that the integration will create new impetus and valuable synergies for our business.”

From left: Robert Vockenhuber (Managing Partner Carvatech), Michael Köb (Head of Finance and Law Doppelmayr Seilbahnen GmbH), Reinhard Aschauer (Managing Partner Carvatech) and Thomas Pichler (Executive Director Doppelmayr Holding SE).

The deal came together over the last few months as Carvatech owners Robert Vockenhuber and Reinhard Aschauer approached Doppelmayr. “When looking to secure ownership succession following our retirement, the top priority was to place our company in good hands,” said Aschauer and Vockenhuber. “We are firmly convinced that we have achieved that goal.”

News Roundup: Dueling Passes

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Mount Norquay Unveils Gondola Plan

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As it approaches 100 years in operation, Banff’s Mount Norquay today announced plans to build a new gondola, mountaintop restaurant and via ferrata among other improvements. The Norquay 100 Vision is distinct from a previous plan by Mt. Norquay’s owners to build a gondola from the Town of Banff to the ski area. The newly-proposed Cliff House Gondola would replace the North American double, a machine the ski area bluntly calls “Western Canada’s most outdated chairlift.” The Garaventa pulse lift was installed in 1974 and operates throughout winter and summer. The new detachable gondola would run in a similar alignment between Norquay’s base lodge and a new Cliff House restaurant. The building would serve as a base of operations for a new via ferrata and alpine hiking.

“For nearly 100 years, Norquay has served as Banff’s backyard, an iconic destination for skiers and sightseers, often providing visitors their first introduction to Banff National Park,” said Mount Norquay General Manager Andre Quenneville. “As we start to look towards our second century of operation, we are putting plans in place to improve the visitor experience and make ourselves more accessible as well as environmentally and economically sustainable,” he continued.

The resort notes the restaurant and gondola projects are inseparable with one providing revenue to offset operating costs of the other. “Without this project, Norquay is not economically sustainable because it does not generate enough funds to replace its existing lifts at the end of their life,” said Quenneville, noting the Norquay gondola would also take pressure off the nearby Banff Gondola.

Even with enhanced facilities, Norquay does not seek to increase its guest capacity beyond the current 3,800 people at one time. Initial review of the plan by Parks Canada is already underway and the resort hopes to qualify for a simplified regulatory review process in the lead up to its 2026 centennial.

Mountain Capital Partners to Operate Willamette Pass

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Durango, Colorado-based Mountain Capital Partners today announced Willamette Pass, Oregon will join its collective of Western ski resorts through a joint venture with current owner Tim Wiper. Willamette Pass becomes the eighth ski resort to join MCP and its first in the Northwest. The company currently operates resorts in four Southwestern states as as well as a lift-served bike park in Texas. “For more than two decades, MCP has strengthened its position in the Southwest, acquiring, building, developing and successfully growing nine resorts in New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, Utah and Texas,” said MCP managing partner James Coleman. “While Willamette Pass Resort’s location introduces a new geographical region to the company, the skiing is fantastic and the opportunity to carry on the tradition of Willamette Pass made the decision an obvious one,” he continued. Willamette Pass will join the Power Pass family of season pass products and current resort leadership is expected to remain in place.

Willamette Pass features a fleet of four Riblet and CTEC chairlifts including Oregon’s first six pack. The mountain also has significant expansion potential in the fast-growing Pacific Northwest ski market. Mountain Capital Partners specializes in building and improving resorts through targeted capital improvements including new lifts and snowmaking. “MCP expects to bring meaningful upgrades to resort operations starting this winter,” said the company’s press release.

Founded in 1941, Willamette Pass offers guests access to 29 trails across 555 skiable acres. “Since this resort’s founding, this has been a family business and, together with our incredible staff, we’ve put in this work for one reason: our love for skiing,” said Tim Wiper, who has owned the resort with his family since 1982. “Mountain Capital Partners clearly shares our undeniable passion for this sport, and they are the right partner to not only lead Willamette Pass Resort into the future but also work together with us to carry on our remarkable legacy.”

News Roundup: Falling Trees

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  • Doppelmayr wins the contract to build Cablebus Line 3, a six station/40 tower gondola in Mexico City with a bid $19 million under Leitner.
  • Steamboat’s new gondola won’t open until mid to late December.
  • A falling tree de-ropes the Busch Gardens Williamsburg gondola off multiple towers.
  • NSAA reports the number of US ski areas operating last season increased by 11 to 473.
  • A brand new chairlift at Ski Wentworth gets battered by wind and falling trees from Hurricane Fiona but is believed to be undamaged.
  • Lake Louise says both Upper Juniper and Sunnyside high speed quads could be constructed as early as 2023 (map here).
  • A new map shows the location of Vail’s upcoming Chair 17 in Sun Down Bowl.
  • Deer Valley’s new map shows where the new Burns Express goes.
  • Apex Mountain uses video footage and social media to identify a group who tampered with the resort’s detachable quad.
  • The Los Angeles transit authority expects to release the draft Environmental Impact Report for the Dodger Stadium gondola October 17th.

Vail Resorts to Install Deferred Park City Lifts at Whistler Blackcomb

Peter Landsman65 Comments

In its earnings report today, Vail Resorts announced new six and eight passenger lifts will be built at Whistler Blackcomb in 2023, replacing the aging Jersey Cream and Fitzsimmons high speed quads. The project will utilize Doppelmayr equipment originally purchased for Park City Mountain but not installed due to a successful permit appeal by four local residents. On Blackcomb Mountain, Jersey Cream will become a six passenger detachable and on Whistler Mountain, Vail Resorts’ first eight place D-Line will replace the Fitzsimmons Express. Jersey Cream services the heart of Blackcomb’s mid mountain and Fitzsimmons provides out-of-base capacity to Whistler Mountain along with servicing the world’s largest bike park. Jersey Cream capacity will increase 29 percent and Fitzsimmons capacity will jump 73 percent. Fitz will also become the first eight place and first D-Line in Canada.

The two lifts were originally slated to become Eagle and Silverlode, respectively, at Park City. Vail said it remains “committed to resolving our permit” for the new Park City lifts in the future. “When that happens, we plan to purchase the lifts and equipment needed,” the company said. Vail Resorts appealed the permit revocation in July but no resolution has been reached. Due to continued uncertainty, lift equipment was placed in storage in Utah over the summer and will be re-engineered and modified for Whistler Blackcomb. An intermediate unloading station built for Eagle likely won’t be utilized in Whistler. Despite the Park City situation, 18 other lifts that are part of the 2022 Epic Lift Upgrade are proceeding on schedule, including two at Whistler Blackcomb.

“We are excited to continue investing in the guest experience here at Whistler Blackcomb, and the opportunity to upgrade the Fitzsimmons Express and Jersey Cream chairlifts reinforces our commitment to excellence, especially as a world-class destination resort,” said Geoff Buchheister, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Whistler Blackcomb. “Following approvals and installation, these upgrades will reduce lift line wait times and create easier access and flow for all who visit our beautiful mountains,” he continued.

The Whistler Blackcomb projects bring Vail Resorts to at least six new lifts for 2023, including three previously announced investments and the delayed Keystone Bergman Bowl expansion. In July, Vail unveiled plans to replace Summit at Attitash, 5-Chair at Breckenridge and Kehr’s Chair at Stevens Pass for 2023. The Attitash and Breckenridge projects will be detachable quads while Stevens Pass will see a fixed grip quad. Manufacturer(s) for those lifts have not been announced. At Keystone, Bergman Bowl will feature a six passenger Leitner-Poma detachable.

Vail also reported season pass sales increased approximately 6 percent in units and 7 percent in sales dollars through September 24th as compared to a year ago. However, full Epic and Epic Local unlimited season pass sales declined roughly 10 percent. The company’s total 2023 capital plan is expected to total $191 million to $196 million, significantly less than this year’s $323 to $333 million. Those numbers reflect approximately $10 million in capital deferred from 2022 to 2023 as a result of the Park City and Keystone lift delays.

In addition to the six 2023 lift projects, Vail also plans to debut new technology allowing guests to use phones as lift passes via Bluetooth Low Energy connectivity next season.

Nub’s Nob Announces New Quad for 2023

Peter Landsman10 Comments

Michigan ski areas continue to invest in new lift technology as Nub’s Nob today became the latest to announce a project for 2023. Skytrac will build the new Green chair, a fixed grip quad replacing a 1978 Riblet. The existing lift serves as the main out-of-base people mover at Nub’s Nob.

In a video message announcing the project, General Manager Ben Doornbos identified three reasons Nub’s Nob chose a fixed grip quad over a detachable. “High speed chairlifts at Nub’s Nob just don’t make sense,” he said, noting the high cost and other drawbacks. A detach would only shave two minutes off the current five minute ride and would cause congestion as skiers favored the lift over nearby fixed grip chairs. “We want to stay future focused and continue to invest in the downhill experience,” he continued. “The only thing we’re ever going to care about at Nub’s Nob is making this place the home for the best Midwestern ski experience possible.”

Elsewhere in Michigan, The Highlands, Mt. Holly and Snowriver also plan to debut new lifts for 2023-24. The four projects announced already come on top of big investments by Michigan ski resorts this season including new lifts at Bittersweet, Boyne Mountain and Caberfae Peaks. That’s seven new lifts in two years for the Great Lakes State.