Bonaventure – Jay Peak, VT

The first part of the lift line.
This lift was slated to be replaced with a six-pack in 2013. Instead, the bottom terminal was moved to make way for the new lodge and a new Doppelmayr CTEC tower added.
View up from the base.
Loading area.
Side view of the drive/tension terminal.
View up the lift line in fall.
The top terminal seen from the tram summit.
Breakover towers 17 and 18.
View down the lift line.
Top terminal underneath the tram line.
The return bullwheel and a tiny operator house.
Lift overview.

21 thoughts on “Bonaventure – Jay Peak, VT

  1. Dterry January 1, 2020 / 12:56 pm

    Not sure if it was better before the base was moved, but this lift has a higher incidence of loading problems. Rear entry, short load approach. It regularly stops at least 8-10 times per ride.

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    • Collin Parsons January 1, 2020 / 3:27 pm

      I noticed it stops and slows very frequently. It really needs to be replaced with a detachable ASAP.

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      • Donald Reif February 8, 2020 / 2:46 pm

        Making this a detachable quad, I could see them maybe being able to recycle the towers, or at least the tubes.

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  2. Raj Thorp February 8, 2020 / 1:51 pm

    This lift says it was supposed to be replaced with a Six place in 2013, but how does that work. Would the lift be a standard fixed grip six, because I’ve never seen one, or would it be a high speed six

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  3. p4rtridg3 February 15, 2021 / 8:05 pm

    This lift should definitely be slated for a replacement soon. It regularly gets blasted with icy winds, especially near the top, and in combination with the slow speed, I find myself avoiding it most of the time.

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    • skitheeast February 15, 2021 / 11:30 pm

      I agree, it really should go detachable. Perhaps a six-pack with wide chair spacing for better wind performance.

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  4. Tom White February 16, 2021 / 5:18 am

    I’ve understood that a HSS up the power line has been the plan. This alignment and the summit being slightly higher would make it easier for customers to skate over the ridge. The fact that they moved the base of the current lift gives me the sense, the replacement won’t be soon. Of course, the criminal case has likely delayed things.

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    • ne_skier February 16, 2021 / 6:17 am

      They originally wanted to do a HSS, but they ran out of money so they just moved it up. The “Owner” (No clue what the ranks are now that people are getting arrested) stated that a new lift there is one of his priorities. He also suggested a Jet replacement and a redundancy lift to the summit, although it didn’t sound like either would be likely as Jet is pretty much perfect at what it does (Not exposed to wind, appropriate capacity, absolute tank of a lift) and there is very little space at the peak for a redundancy lift’s unload ramp.

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      • Lily March 18, 2021 / 11:25 am

        Instead, I think there should be a mid mountain lift going from Ullrs to the top of the Freezer, and the Freezer should get a midstation at Upper Exhibiton (which likely means a replacement). Then, for Stateside, Bonnie becoming a 6 pack or at least a high speed quad is most important.

        Liked by 1 person

        • Grady May 3, 2024 / 12:24 pm

          The Green Mountain Double, which was the lift before the flyer, used to have a mid station at upper exhibition. I believe you can still see the base of it.

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      • liftnerd March 29, 2024 / 7:04 pm

        NE_Skier, to add to what you wrote, 80’s Doppelmayr fixed-grips, such as Bonnie and Jet, are some of the more robust lifts around.

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    • skitheeast February 18, 2024 / 1:22 pm

      They had all the clearing done for the realignment with a six-pack, but I’m happy they didn’t go through with it. This lift may be a little windy right now, but that alignment would have been even worse at the top. I hope PGRI understands that as they replace this lift one day.

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  5. carletongebhardt April 6, 2021 / 4:41 pm

    It’s a long ride, a HSQ definitely seems like the best upgrade.

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  6. FlyballSkiLifts March 29, 2024 / 6:59 pm

    I feel like a Doppelmayr high speed six replacement would be the best decision for this lift as it’s the main out of base mover. They should also move the terminal farther uphill so it end near the top of the Green Mountain Flyer.

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    • Grady May 3, 2024 / 12:25 pm

      Assuming that they are still sticking with plans similar to the 2013 ones, the new HSS should end just under the face chutes, right where the original bonnie double did

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