News – Lift Blog

News Roundup: Ultra High Capacity

August 7, 2026Peter Landsman4 Comments

Eagle Point, Utah won’t open this season due to extensive fire damage.
Doppelmayr works to build the world’s highest capacity urban gondola system in Guatemala with two lines, 12 stations and 495 12 place cabins capable of moving 5,500 riders per hour/direction/line.
An urban gondola in Africa closes after just a few weeks due to low ridership, high ticket prices, vandalism and resident fears.
A new lawsuit alleges Alterra, Vail, Boyne, Powdr, NSAA and RRC Associates illegally colluded on destination resort pricing (full text here.)
Oregon OSHA fines Mt. Hood Skibowl $43,000 over a fatal maintenance incident, alleging staff operated a work carrier beyond limitations after receiving no formal training on it (the area has appealed.)
Doppelmayr to embark on a major expansion in Wolfurt.
The sale of Eldora still hasn’t closed ten months after initially planned.
A long-lost Indiana ski area with Riblet quad could reopen.
Snowmass to move forward with a SkyCab replacement next fall.
Cannon Mountain delays the due date for new tramway bids to September 2nd.
Casper, Wyoming solicits bids for a new Hogadon chairlift, due August 28th.
Doppelmayr submits the winning bid for a new quad at Glen Eden, Ontario.
Camelback to sell hundreds of chairs from four retired lifts.
Graffer finally nears completion of a unique gondola intended to open for last winter’s Olympics in Italy.
An investigation finds parts improperly installed decades ago combined with a misload and unevenly loaded chair caused a deropement at Vail last winter.
Blacktail Mountain’s founders describe creating the newest US ski area on Forest Service land.
The National Park Service joins numerous other parties objecting to Grand Targhee’s proposed expansion.
Lake Louise to complete a systems modernization and capacity upgrade on Top of the World.
Skytrac completes Snowbird’s new Chickadee chair in just 76 days.
Cape Smokey, Nova Scotia maps out three future lifts.
The Summit at Snoqualmie drops Ikon Pass reservations, leaving just Deer Valley, Jackson Hole and Loon requiring them.
From the classifieds: a Doppelmayr pulse gondola for sale.
Leitner-Poma makes great strides on a 3,600 pph gondola in Canyons Village at Park City.

News Roundup: Powder

July 31, 2026Peter Landsman7 Comments

Aspen Mountain retires Lift 1A with replacement plans uncertain.
Bartholet completes its first tramway with Sigma Cabins and a new design utilizing tubular towers.
Cape Smokey, Nova Scotia teases what looks like a major expansion with a new lift.
An Eagle Point damage assessment shared with the Utah Passenger Ropeway Safety Committee finds one lift undamaged, another with light to moderate damage and three lifts heavily impacted by fire and heat. The resort might partially reopen this winter but faces a lengthy road to recovery.
Telluride’s transit agency postpones selection of a new gondola manufacturer while officials clarify Buy America requirements with the Federal Transit Administration.
A Poma Alpha quad briefly catches fire in Chile.
Alterra could receive millions in public financing to relocate headquarters within Denver after considering a move to Salt Lake City.
Park City’s Eagle and Silverlode replacement approvals are upheld, moving the projects closer.
The Forest Service publishes the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Brian Head’s proposed expansion with several new alternatives.
Whistler leaders receive a preliminary study into a valley gondola connecting Whistler Village, Creekside and Function Junction.
Thanks to reader Roger for sharing shots of Powder Mountain’s four lifts under construction and reader Auston for flying me overhead yesterday.

News Roundup: Reinforced

July 24, 2026July 26, 2026Peter LandsmanLeave a comment

Red Lodge Mountain settles with the family of a man killed on a lift last year, clarifying in a joint statement his death was caused by a mechanical failure, derailment and collapse rather than a fall. As a result of the incident Red Lodge reinforced towers on the Triple Chair and added anemometers.
Mountain Capital Partners’ purchase of El Colorado, Chile is called off over antitrust concerns.
Teton County, Idaho and the State of Wyoming join others objecting to Grand Targhee’s nearly-approved expansion.
Big Powderhorn, Michigan sells to new independent owners.
Wachusett lists the former Polar Express for sale.
The Sandia Peak Tram to receive new carriages and hangers in 2027.
In addition to being damaged by wildfire, Eagle Point becomes inaccessible due to floods.
As repairs continue, the Goldbelt Tram remains closed with another update expected in two weeks.
The President imposes new tariffs of 10 to 12.5 percent on the European Union, Switzerland, Canada and numerous other nations and says more EU tariffs are coming.

News Roundup: Long-Awaited

July 17, 2026Peter Landsman8 Comments

Cherry Peak, Utah is listed for sale with an asking price of $22.5 million.
Glen Eden, Ontario to replace the Ridge quad with a new one in 2027.
Sommet Saint-Sauveur, Quebec will replace Côte 71 with a six pack in ’27.
Rock City, Georgia continues making the case for a sightseeing gondola.
Bluewood, Washington receives lift parts delayed over a year due to an ongoing lawsuit.
A decision on Park City’s proposed Eagle and Silverlode replacements could come in the next few weeks after four years of limbo.
The Chief of the Forest Service considers giving more control of National Forests to states (speaking at Deer Valley Resort, one of the few large western resorts not on Forest Service land.)
The President threatens new tariffs on Canadian goods due to wildfire smoke.
Vail Resorts vows to improve the guest experience at its resorts.

News Roundup: Breathtaking

July 10, 2026Peter Landsman6 Comments

Four cabins pileup on a tall Poma gondola tower in Russia.
Eagle Point posts another update including photos and videos of heavy fire damage.
Lifts at Asessippi, Manitoba flood for a second time this summer.
The WestJet Skyride at the Calgary Stampede reopens in a modified, shorter configuration.
Alterra and Vail seek dismissal of a proposed season pass competition class action.
Aspen auctions chairs from both Bell Mountain and Little Nell; Loveland to raffle Lift 5 chairs to employees and season passholders.
49 Degrees North will soon offer chairs from Payday.
Both Leitner-Poma and Doppelmayr are listed as qualified bidders for the Cannon Tram replacement RFP with bids due August 5th.
Whitecap Mountains emerges from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection under existing management.
The Forest Service accepts a fresh Monarch Mountain master plan which includes five lift replacements, a base-to-ridge detachable quad and second lift in No Name Basin.

News Roundup: Ropeway Ban

July 3, 2026Peter Landsman38 Comments

Eagle Point provides an initial fire assessment; four of five lifts sustained damage.
Less than a month after a tower was bent on the Tamarack Express, Leitner-Poma and Tamarack install a whole new tower with the lift set to reopen tomorrow.
The Goldbelt Tram remains closed following an April crash now reported to be caused by inexperienced staff mistakes.
The story of how a small town in Arkansas got an $8.5 million detachable serving 280 vertical feet.
Hawaii officially bans commercial chairlifts, gondolas and tramways statewide.
The family of a child killed on a Quebec chairlift last winter speaks out.
Deer Valley outlines the next two years of East Village development.
Donner Ski Ranch offers free lift tickets to guests who photograph distracted lift operators.
Mont-Sainte-Anne’s upcoming bubble six pack to be named L’Évolution Express.
Several prominent Vail residents join Matthew Prince’s criticism of Vail Resorts infrastructure and trajectory.
A filing reveals the precise alignment for Kicking Horse’s recently announced Pioneer Express.
The Forest Service to host a Waterville Valley expansion open house on July 15th.
OITAF’s Ropeway Innovations symposium to be held in Park City next June.

OITAF-NACS 13th Symposium_Save-the-Date Download

News Roundup: Owned & Operated

June 26, 2026Peter Landsman13 Comments

Lost Trail, Montana/Idaho seeks permission to replace Chair 1, Chair 2 and Chair 4 with high speed quads and utilize retired equipment for a new beginner lift.
Aerial footage shows Eagle Point’s lifts still standing after wildfire but with unknown heat damage.
Vail Resorts vigorously defends its owned and operated network model.
New York’s Governor forms an exploratory committee for hosting the 2042 Winter Olympics.
The Getty Museum in Los Angeles announces a Doppelmayr automated people mover.
Lutsen Mountains begins charging extra for private gondola cabins and priority boarding.
Donner Ski Ranch asks guests to report lift operators distracted by cell phones.
Leitner to reach more than 40 miles of urban gondolas throughout Mexico.
The Forest Service approves Telluride’s proposed replacements for lifts 7 and 8.

News Roundup: Around the USA

June 19, 2026Peter Landsman7 Comments

Alberta conceptually approves the master plan for a Fortress Mountain reboot.
Waterville Valley and the Forest Service to host a public meeting regarding a proposed gondola on June 26th.
Revelstoke will host an info session on the future of the resort June 24th.
Cannon Mountain issues a request for bids for an 80 passenger tramway reusing certain components from the last tram with an expected completion date of December 1, 2028.
Amid bankruptcy, Whitecap Mountains lists a disused CTEC for sale.
Vail Resorts reportedly hires takeover defense bankers.
Alterra says a new law in Colorado could unlock public funding for a Winter Park town gondola.
Aspen-Pitkin County Airport’s new terminal design leaves room for a future gondola to town.
The federal government will fund a new haul rope for Whaleback, New Hampshire’s double chair.
Both ladder trucks and ropes are used to rescue riders from the skyride at Dutch Wonderland, Pennsylvania.
Teton County, Wyoming plans an objection to Grand Targhee’s expansion plan.
A black bear cub climbs a tower on Whistler’s Fitzsimmons 8.
A new operator plans to reopen Spout Springs, Oregon with help from the family that owns Timberline Lodge.
Big Sky dismantles parts of Powder Seeker to move the top terminal due to ground movement.

Lots of construction pictures from readers this week starting with Deer Valley’s Hail Peak expansion:

Next Caberfae Peaks, Michigan’s expansion lift:

And finally Powderhorn, Colorado’s Wild West Express:

News Roundup: Setbacks

June 12, 2026Peter Landsman16 Comments

Utah skier visits fell 26 percent last season, Vermont was up 4.7 percent.
Aspen Snowmass visitation falls for the third year in a row.
Vail Resorts reports season pass unit sales down 10 percent for next season, lowers financial guidance again.
Vail wins a 15 year contract extension in Grand Teton National Park representing over a billion dollars gross.
Six Park City residents appeal approval of replacement Eagle and Silverlode detachables.
A new ski resort in Ukraine selects Doppelmayr for €47 million worth of lifts.
A Japanese gondola operator introduces a special cabin with Dolby Atmos surround sound for an upcharge.
A new urban gondola in Uruapan, Mexico already carries 18,000 riders per day, far exceeding expectations.
Mt. Ashland, Oregon pushes to lift replacements to 2027 and 2028.
Snow King’s new gondola cabins planned for summer concerts are delayed in customs but should go live soon.
A new sightseeing gondola nears completion in BC’s Okanagan region.
Beartooth Basin temporarily closes due to lift issues.
Mountain Capital Partners acquires three Arizona golf resorts.
Pico to replace the Outpost double with a new chairlift in 2027, manufacturer and model TBA.
Planning commissioners in Georgia reject a gondola proposal on the Tennessee border but it could still be built on unincorporated land.
A gondola proposed in Canmore, Alberta also faces fierce opposition.
The Town of Telluride questions Telski’s plan to replace two doubles with fixed grips instead of detachables.
Floods partially submerge chairlifts in Manitoba.
The Governor officially opens Arkansas’ first new chairlift in 53 years.
Pursuit’s planned $70 to $80 million in 2026 growth capital includes replacing the Jasper SkyTram with a 2S gondola, subject to Parks Canada approval.

News Roundup: Doolans

June 5, 2026June 5, 2026Peter Landsman20 Comments

A damaged tower at Tamarack is expected to take three to five weeks to replace following last week’s “unusual cable entanglement event.”
Brattleboro Ski Hill in Vermont fundraises for a new Skytrac control system.
Mont Sutton to auction unique Mueller chairs.
Roosevelt Island asks the public what to do with original tram cabins.
Stoneham and Leitner-Poma to complete a CA$1 million renovation of L’Aurore Boréale.
Mountain Village, Colorado releases a 300 page report detailing local officials’ failed attempt to purchase Telluride Ski Resort.
Vail Resorts vows not to sell as Matthew Prince continues making his case to acquire Park City.
Casper, Wyoming expects to order a new chairlift for Hogadon Ski Area this fall.
Colorado skier visits plunge 24 percent.
New Hampshire visits rise 5 percent.
In New Zealand, The Remarkables proposes the nation’s longest gondola.
A gondola collides with a crane in Austria.
Enjoy this progress report on the Gelande expansion at Purgatory.

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