Although this lift is numbered 3, it was actually the second chairlift built at Cuchara and the first to reach the summit.View up from the base area.As of 2020, this lift has not operated in 20 years.The bottom terminal and first few towers.Top terminal.Upper bullwheel.Upper part of the lift line.The last few towers.A bail style Riblet chair.Middle lift line.View down the line.Another look down.Upper part of the line.Steepest section of the profile.Lower lift line.View up the steepest pitch.Most of the lift line seen from the Chair 4 area.
In the future if Cuchara gets a new permit could they potentially replace this lift with a HSQ? That would bring some popularity to the resort and help it with marketing. If they want it to stay more local I could see a skytrac triple here.
Considering the history of billionaires spending tons of money building this place only to go bankrupt, I think it would be the fixed grip option (maybe even just renovating this lift). None of the previous investments attracted enough people to keep the area open before, so it makes sense to go cheaper.
Also, from the articles I’ve read on this place, it sounds like the Forest Service got burned hard by all the previous owners spending way beyond their means. So Cuchara is going to want to be conservative with their future plans to get approval.
A good year or so. New electronics, possibly new drive, new line and tower gear, sensors… bull wheel liners, shivs/liners, bearings, running new electrical lines to the lifts unless they plan on using diesel generators, Lots of $$$.
Lift Blog 
In the future if Cuchara gets a new permit could they potentially replace this lift with a HSQ? That would bring some popularity to the resort and help it with marketing. If they want it to stay more local I could see a skytrac triple here.
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Considering the history of billionaires spending tons of money building this place only to go bankrupt, I think it would be the fixed grip option (maybe even just renovating this lift). None of the previous investments attracted enough people to keep the area open before, so it makes sense to go cheaper.
Also, from the articles I’ve read on this place, it sounds like the Forest Service got burned hard by all the previous owners spending way beyond their means. So Cuchara is going to want to be conservative with their future plans to get approval.
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What lift do those chairs on the ground belong to?
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Chair 4
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It is in very good condition for a lift that has not operated in 20 years.
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How long would it take to get this lift back in operation?
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A good year or so. New electronics, possibly new drive, new line and tower gear, sensors… bull wheel liners, shivs/liners, bearings, running new electrical lines to the lifts unless they plan on using diesel generators, Lots of $$$.
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Also a fresh coat of paint and new operator controls.
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PBS just did a story (1/7/2025) on this that it is re-opened selling $40 lift tickets.
https://www.rmpbs.org/blogs/outdoors/cuchara-mountain-park
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