Agreed! I have always wondered why this lift was not made high speed initially. The terrain it serves is actually really fun but the long slow lift ride is not.
Back in the mid-80s detachables were very big investments. Aspen built the original Ajax Express and the Silver Queen Gondola (which cost them a fortune).
Gents ridge would’ve been too much of an investment for Aspen. I personally like fixed grips as long as they run them at a reasonable speed 400-500 FPM.
To replace it or covert it would probably mean demolition of the old Riblet vault drive that Aspen most likely didn’t want to do. Plus with Ruthies being replaced it would be a large investment for Aspen.
This lift needs a replacement. Long 13 minute ride (as stated) so it’s terrain must be a pain to lap. A HSQ would seen right for this
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Agreed! I have always wondered why this lift was not made high speed initially. The terrain it serves is actually really fun but the long slow lift ride is not.
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Back in the mid-80s detachables were very big investments. Aspen built the original Ajax Express and the Silver Queen Gondola (which cost them a fortune).
Gents ridge would’ve been too much of an investment for Aspen. I personally like fixed grips as long as they run them at a reasonable speed 400-500 FPM.
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The Alpha drive is at the top, so perhaps they had planned a Falcon Superchair style conversion from an Alpha quad to an Alpha-Evolution detachable??
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They should of done what they did with High Lonesome Express in Winter Park and converted it over to a high speed quad.
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I think it’s strange that this lift was never upgraded to a HSQ when Ruthies was.
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To replace it or covert it would probably mean demolition of the old Riblet vault drive that Aspen most likely didn’t want to do. Plus with Ruthies being replaced it would be a large investment for Aspen.
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