This is the newest lift at Big Powderhorn as of 2020, built in 1993.Upper part of the lift line.Bullwheel unloading area.Breakover towers.View from the summit.Middle part of the lift line.Lower lift line.The first few towers.Loading area.Lift overview.Side view of the motor room and tension carriage.
This lift looks a little old for 1993 Riblet along with 2, which is listed as a 1987 Riblet. Riblet changed their designs in around 1985 and phased out the classic center pole chair then. Are both of these lifts relocations?
Lifts 2 and 9 were both installed new, I always wondered that as well, they must have got a special order to match all the other lifts. The center pole chairs on those two lifts have some of the highest arm rests of any center pole design.
Lift 2 is actually the 93. Lift 9 is the 87. I thought maybe I was wrong but google earth has an image from 92 and it confirms that lift 2 was not in place while lift 9 was.
I agree, Lift 2 is definitely the 1993 install and Lift 9 is the 1987 install. This is backed up by historical trail maps. I’m wondering if they specifically asked for the center-pole carriers and the older-style tower heads to stay consistent throughout the resort? I mean, 9 center-pole Riblet doubles, all painted red except for the towers on Lift 7…it sure makes for a consistent look and feel!
It could have been a custom order in terms of the chairs and towers or, it could have been custom Charis with used towers. There are other places in Michigan where a new drive and some new components were used as well as some old components and the lift was listed as a new install. The Black lift at Shanty Creek is listed as a new install in 1980 but the towers are clearly from the early 60’s. Alpine Valley has a Riblet Quad that was listed as a new install but used a lot of components that don’t fit the year it was installed. I think it was a combo of new and old parts.
I do like when their is uniformity in lifts at a resort. Looks like thought went into the growth rather than just buy whatever used junk they could find and throw it up.
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This lift looks a little old for 1993 Riblet along with 2, which is listed as a 1987 Riblet. Riblet changed their designs in around 1985 and phased out the classic center pole chair then. Are both of these lifts relocations?
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Yeah I’m suspicious too. Maybe this is simply the final center pole riblet?
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no the last center pole quad was made in 1990
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Is that Copper Peak or Mt. Zion you can see in the background of some of these?
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Copper Peak
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Lifts 2 and 9 were both installed new, I always wondered that as well, they must have got a special order to match all the other lifts. The center pole chairs on those two lifts have some of the highest arm rests of any center pole design.
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Lift 2 is actually the 93. Lift 9 is the 87. I thought maybe I was wrong but google earth has an image from 92 and it confirms that lift 2 was not in place while lift 9 was.
LikeLike
I agree, Lift 2 is definitely the 1993 install and Lift 9 is the 1987 install. This is backed up by historical trail maps. I’m wondering if they specifically asked for the center-pole carriers and the older-style tower heads to stay consistent throughout the resort? I mean, 9 center-pole Riblet doubles, all painted red except for the towers on Lift 7…it sure makes for a consistent look and feel!
LikeLike
It could have been a custom order in terms of the chairs and towers or, it could have been custom Charis with used towers. There are other places in Michigan where a new drive and some new components were used as well as some old components and the lift was listed as a new install. The Black lift at Shanty Creek is listed as a new install in 1980 but the towers are clearly from the early 60’s. Alpine Valley has a Riblet Quad that was listed as a new install but used a lot of components that don’t fit the year it was installed. I think it was a combo of new and old parts.
I do like when their is uniformity in lifts at a resort. Looks like thought went into the growth rather than just buy whatever used junk they could find and throw it up.
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