If the only reason for removal was the fact that they needed to build that summit restaurant, then why didn’t they move the return downhill. One Riblet isn’t enough to serve the summit. There must have been another reason for removal
I ski at Sandia a lot and I don’t think that’s the reason why. I think they decided not to fix it after a big breakdown since they have another lift going the same way.
I hope they don’t scrap this lift and/or sell the chairs. I hope it’ll be able to receive new grips, sheaves, and a new drive terminal if it gets relocated. This lift is too awesome and rare to get rid of. Maybe Sandia could expand and reuse this lift?
I was also told that this lift had a rollback in 1971 by locals who skied here around that time. It’s not listed on the news anywhere, but it was on a Facebook post when someone said they remembered the lift making a loud crack sound, then it started rolling back at a fast speed. Another person said that they remember chairs piling up inside the drive building (the building is actually pretty compact on the inside, so it makes sense for chairs to slam into the wall). Anyways, I still don’t know for sure, as there isn’t any news about it or anything, except for a book on Sandia Peak Ski Area’s history, except it says the rollback was in 1974
It’s been 8 years since the master plan came out for this lift’s replacement. It’s supposed to get replaced with a high speed quad, hopefully Leitner-Poma, since I can’t trust Doppelmayr anymore with their Cybertruck style terminals and weirdness alone
Fun fact about this lift, did you know this lift was originally built with a mid-load? The midstation and tower 8 were removed around 1989, hence why the lift had no tower 8
Lift Blog 
Is this lift still partially standing?
LikeLike
Yes
LikeLike
If the only reason for removal was the fact that they needed to build that summit restaurant, then why didn’t they move the return downhill. One Riblet isn’t enough to serve the summit. There must have been another reason for removal
LikeLike
I ski at Sandia a lot and I don’t think that’s the reason why. I think they decided not to fix it after a big breakdown since they have another lift going the same way.
LikeLike
Correct – they couldn’t get parts any more.
LikeLike
I don’t know why because Taos had lots from their older Stadelis. It’s weird that they never did it.
LikeLike
Parts loss :( besides it was built in 1963.
LikeLike
Winter 2015
Autumn 2011 or 2012
LikeLike
And 2nd video you’ll wanna skip to 0:00 because there’s a good shot of the return terminal in the area from 0:00 to 0:09-0:10
LikeLike
Without added seconds:
LikeLike
Running:
LikeLike
According to skimap.org, this lift had a mid-load station. Shame that it’s long gone now
1988 map:
LikeLike
The mid-load was removed in 2005
LikeLike
More running footage:
LikeLike
Here’s the inside of the drive building
https://yt3.ggpht.com/K9RBgun2DyJuOCXPbNV_wv9RNYjLYeDGdCGB2q5Rag3eUHdLYvB09X93tvqRfA10mUwfVYNtEDvqjA=s1600-nd-v1
LikeLike
Old running footage from 1997 near the former mid-load station which became a ski jump after removal of the mid load:
LikeLike
The length is not correct. It loads below lift 3 and unloads above lift 3. Just saying….
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes, that is correct, but it’s pretty slightly longer, only about 10 feet longer, 5 on each terminal length
LikeLike
10 meters, not feet 🤦♂️
LikeLike
Skied here on March 17 and took some pictures of this lift. Even got some sweet pics in the drive terminal. Sad how this lift is slowly decomposing 😭
LikeLike
https://youtu.be/CjLat3t027w?si=R9sACGa2eySnXGbZ
LikeLike
Old photo of it the same year it was decommissioned
LikeLike
WHERE’S THE PHOTO?!?!?!
LikeLike
I hate whenever I post a photo and it doesn’t show up
LikeLike
This lift has the last Stadeli triple leg terminal left in existence!
LikeLike
Here’s a pic I took of the terminal over a month ago
LikeLike
I hope they don’t scrap this lift and/or sell the chairs. I hope it’ll be able to receive new grips, sheaves, and a new drive terminal if it gets relocated. This lift is too awesome and rare to get rid of. Maybe Sandia could expand and reuse this lift?
LikeLike
I was also told that this lift had a rollback in 1971 by locals who skied here around that time. It’s not listed on the news anywhere, but it was on a Facebook post when someone said they remembered the lift making a loud crack sound, then it started rolling back at a fast speed. Another person said that they remember chairs piling up inside the drive building (the building is actually pretty compact on the inside, so it makes sense for chairs to slam into the wall). Anyways, I still don’t know for sure, as there isn’t any news about it or anything, except for a book on Sandia Peak Ski Area’s history, except it says the rollback was in 1974
LikeLike
It’s been 8 years since the master plan came out for this lift’s replacement. It’s supposed to get replaced with a high speed quad, hopefully Leitner-Poma, since I can’t trust Doppelmayr anymore with their Cybertruck style terminals and weirdness alone
LikeLike
Also, this lift still stands, and it’s been like that for almost 8 years 😳
LikeLike
Fun fact about this lift, did you know this lift was originally built with a mid-load? The midstation and tower 8 were removed around 1989, hence why the lift had no tower 8
LikeLike
Here it is
LikeLike
That picture of that mid-load was from the 1970s. I’ll send a link to the original photo here
20211218-Sandia chairlift | jceespics | Flickr
LikeLike
Here’s another from a low quality vhs tape from 1997. Look closely and you’ll see the tower and operator house, even the fencing
LikeLike
It looks as if they have removed the top terminal, or atleast the top unloading deck.
LikeLike