Riding up.Top return bullwheel.Middle section of the lift line.Looking back.Top unload.Double diamond unloading ramp.Bottom drive station and loading ramp.Lower lift line.The first breakover.Upper bowl of the lift line.View up from the loading area.Side view of the bottom terminal.View back down the lower line.
Also I don’t think there is reason enough to replace it. As far as I know, uphill capacity isn’t enough of an issue to warrant a quad. And it was difficult enough in 1967 to blast the rock and lay foundation. I doubt the Summit would put the money into that. Besides, they have enough Riblet doubles in storage to supply parts and keep Chair 2 running for another 100 years.
Their master plan included replacing it with a higher capacity lift. However, I suspect it’s lower on the list than most other replacements, If they ever build that backbowls lift, that’ll take some of the pressure off it as well.
I can attest to the blasting. My dad helped build that one (as well as chairs 1 and 3) in ’67 and talked about how much drilling they did. He and several others wanted to do rock anchors but that wasn’t what Riblet did, so they blasted big holes for concrete.
Working at the summit, word on the street is that the next chairs due for replacement are Chair 2 for capacity and Central Express because of its insane amount of hours. Although cash is gonna be tight this year so replacements likely not coming too soon.
I remember getting a paper copy of the MDP when it was first approved in 2008. It’s been changed over the years. It originally had a pulse gondola going from the base of Alpental to the top of Chair 2. Originally, Chair 2 was one of the only lifts that was not slated to be replaced or modified. It seems that it has been updated, and Chair 2 is slated to be “modified” but to remain a double.
Like Northway and C-6/High Campbell at Crystal, not only does this lift have a cult following, it’s expert-only, and the low capacity promotes quality over quantity.
Fair enough. Here’s hoping I get to ride it some day. In the meantime, my incomplete list: Chair 2 at Alpental, Ariel at Mt A, Chair 5 at Bogus, Seventh Heaven at Stevens, Chair 1 at Mt Spokane, Summit at Bachelor, and Chair 4 at Silver.
5. Colburn at Schweitzer- some of the best lapping steep trees in NA. The much longer old chairs 1 or 6 would have been even better, because they had 0 crowds to lap the steep stuff.
4. Eagle Peak at Lookout Pass- while new, my one day on it showed it’s the best Lookout has done with what is arguably the best snow in the NW outside Baker.
3. Chair 5 at Baker- speaking of. Biggest downside is everyone in bham knows to be there on a pow day. Then again, there are a ton of pow days… Maybe the best pure terrain outside Crystal.
2. Edelweiss- see pics.
1… Tie between Northway and the Gondola at Crystal- both great. Gondi is under designed for demand. Sometimes doesn’t get the snow Baker or Stevens do. Completely worth it cuz it’s the only real long, big elevation lift in the NW above advanced terrain. The runner up might be Northway. Chair 4 at Silver actually comes close… But I spent an entire childhood and now good chunk of adult life wishing Silver would install 1 new lift or build 1 new trail or not build a waterpark so. Crystal wins.
My first season pass ever was at Alpental in the early 1980’s. Mon-Fri pass was $99 or $109 I think. Edelweiss was my favorite chair. Laps on Edelweiss interspersed with Internationale
Lift Blog 
The ramp at the top station was rebuilt in the last few years.
LikeLike
Here are a few pics of the new upper station (taken from remontees mecaniques).
LikeLike
Of all the Riblets at Snoqualmie, I think this will be the saddest one to lose.
LikeLike
I don’t think they will ever replace it. There would be riots. Also, they just upgraded the ski patrol office underneath the top terminal.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What is so special about this lift that replacing it would cause riots?
LikeLiked by 2 people
Alpental, and especially this lift, have a cult following in the Seattle area
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s the best chair in the PNW. Period.
LikeLiked by 2 people
unfortunately, it IS being replaced.
LikeLike
Also I don’t think there is reason enough to replace it. As far as I know, uphill capacity isn’t enough of an issue to warrant a quad. And it was difficult enough in 1967 to blast the rock and lay foundation. I doubt the Summit would put the money into that. Besides, they have enough Riblet doubles in storage to supply parts and keep Chair 2 running for another 100 years.
LikeLike
Their master plan included replacing it with a higher capacity lift. However, I suspect it’s lower on the list than most other replacements, If they ever build that backbowls lift, that’ll take some of the pressure off it as well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Where can I find the master plan? Can’t find it on skimap.org
LikeLike
I can attest to the blasting. My dad helped build that one (as well as chairs 1 and 3) in ’67 and talked about how much drilling they did. He and several others wanted to do rock anchors but that wasn’t what Riblet did, so they blasted big holes for concrete.
LikeLike
Working at the summit, word on the street is that the next chairs due for replacement are Chair 2 for capacity and Central Express because of its insane amount of hours. Although cash is gonna be tight this year so replacements likely not coming too soon.
LikeLike
Yup. They’ve had this in their master plan for years.
LikeLike
For those wondering about the Snoqualmie master plan, it can be found here: https://summitatsnoqualmie.com/master-development-plan
LikeLike
I remember getting a paper copy of the MDP when it was first approved in 2008. It’s been changed over the years. It originally had a pulse gondola going from the base of Alpental to the top of Chair 2. Originally, Chair 2 was one of the only lifts that was not slated to be replaced or modified. It seems that it has been updated, and Chair 2 is slated to be “modified” but to remain a double.
LikeLike
Like Northway and C-6/High Campbell at Crystal, not only does this lift have a cult following, it’s expert-only, and the low capacity promotes quality over quantity.
LikeLike
True. I like the Sheaves on this lift. They aren’t very bumpy
LikeLike
https://summitatsnoqualmie.com/summit-source/alpental-winch-snow-cat-mission
Cool article and video here – they took a winch cat to the summit to clear out snow around the top station and under the line.
LikeLike
@joeblake Blue at Mt. Hood Meadows has something for that.
LikeLike
Fair enough. Here’s hoping I get to ride it some day. In the meantime, my incomplete list: Chair 2 at Alpental, Ariel at Mt A, Chair 5 at Bogus, Seventh Heaven at Stevens, Chair 1 at Mt Spokane, Summit at Bachelor, and Chair 4 at Silver.
LikeLike
My votes:
5. Colburn at Schweitzer- some of the best lapping steep trees in NA. The much longer old chairs 1 or 6 would have been even better, because they had 0 crowds to lap the steep stuff.
4. Eagle Peak at Lookout Pass- while new, my one day on it showed it’s the best Lookout has done with what is arguably the best snow in the NW outside Baker.
3. Chair 5 at Baker- speaking of. Biggest downside is everyone in bham knows to be there on a pow day. Then again, there are a ton of pow days… Maybe the best pure terrain outside Crystal.
2. Edelweiss- see pics.
1… Tie between Northway and the Gondola at Crystal- both great. Gondi is under designed for demand. Sometimes doesn’t get the snow Baker or Stevens do. Completely worth it cuz it’s the only real long, big elevation lift in the NW above advanced terrain. The runner up might be Northway. Chair 4 at Silver actually comes close… But I spent an entire childhood and now good chunk of adult life wishing Silver would install 1 new lift or build 1 new trail or not build a waterpark so. Crystal wins.
LikeLike
Agreed on chair 5. When I wrenched on it I did a *lot* of line checks….
LikeLike
Peter – It would be really cool if you could use your industry pull to ride the lift this summer and document before it’s removed!
Always wondered what the tower footings, loading ramps, etc. look like without 80″ of snow.
I’ve wanted to hike it myself in the past, but now with the new lift construction I’m sure that’s out of the question.
LikeLike
Edelweiss broke down today. I was stuck on it for 30 minutes until I think they got a backup generator.
LikeLike
My first season pass ever was at Alpental in the early 1980’s. Mon-Fri pass was $99 or $109 I think. Edelweiss was my favorite chair. Laps on Edelweiss interspersed with Internationale
LikeLike
R.I.P. Edelweiss, you will be missed…
LikeLike