This 1987 Doppelmayr detachable features a top drive with tensioning at the bottom.There is also a large parking facility at the base.The parking rails.Interestingly, the return bullwheel is located behind the rest of the bottom terminal.This station has the hydraulic tensioning system.Like many early model detachable lifts, the terminals are chain driven and not arranged in clean U shapes.The top terminal.View down the lift line.Middle part of the line.Lower line.Tower 1.Arriving at the drive station.Overview of the top terminal.Riding up.View back down the line.The top station with a bulge where the drive equipment is housed.
21 thoughts on “L’Express du Nord – Mont-Sainte-Anne, QC”
Max HartJanuary 21, 2019 / 11:43 am
Does this lift remind anyone else of Big Burn at Snowmass? Both are 1987 detachables (Doppie here and Poma at Snowmass) and they were both major manufacturer’s first attempts at overhead drive detachables. Also at the same time Yan was pioneering the more compact (than the CLD-260 and Performant/Alpha-Evolution) detachable systems.
That’s the tension carriage- same concept as the separated Alpha terminals without the drive equipment. The terminals pictured here had plenty of space inside so I doubt that was the issue.
It would be an interesting end up. I think the best would be that government expropriates RCR (Return the Cash in the Rockies), and the MSA management would go to the SÉPAQ. CMSQ is scaring me, because it smells like a mini-vail…
The government annouced this week that they are planning to give money to RCR to modernize the mountain. Smells like corruption. That is the last thing they should do, according to me.
CMSQ smells like a mini-vail. I think the best would be that the government expropriates RCR (Return the Cash in the Rockies), and gives back the management to the SÉPAQ (as it was before RCR came in).
After that, this week, RCR announced that the governement of Quebec is planning to give money to RCR to upgrade the mountain. What a shame to take public founds to help criminals like RCR.
Le Massif got 400M$, who’s corrupt. Average family can’t go there anymore. Getting RCR out will end up costing more. CMSQ will probably end up asking for funds eventually as well. It’s all the same…
Well in that case the best option would be SÉPAQ. Prices are increasing with RCR, meanwhile the mountain is deteriorating. At Massif, prices are increasing, but they are able to justify it with the services. SÉPAQ would still use the government’s money, but at least, it will be injected in the governement, and not in a private corporation.
who else loves these quirky old express lifts, even with their faults it is still cool to see some resorts keeping them running for just a little while longer.
Does this lift remind anyone else of Big Burn at Snowmass? Both are 1987 detachables (Doppie here and Poma at Snowmass) and they were both major manufacturer’s first attempts at overhead drive detachables. Also at the same time Yan was pioneering the more compact (than the CLD-260 and Performant/Alpha-Evolution) detachable systems.
LikeLiked by 4 people
It does remind me of Big Burn in the way that the terminals are stacked. Yan was truly ahead of their time with their detachables.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes, I agree, I ski Snowmass every year and the big burn lift is pretty advanced for its time!
LikeLike
Too bad they weren’t ahead of their time with their grips.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You can’t really unsee it.
LikeLike
why the weird separated return bullwheel????
LikeLike
Spacing constraints, maybe.
LikeLike
That’s the tension carriage- same concept as the separated Alpha terminals without the drive equipment. The terminals pictured here had plenty of space inside so I doubt that was the issue.
LikeLike
I wonder how much longer this lift will last. It can’t be economical to run these rust buckets…
LikeLike
Not too long….
https://liftblog.com/2023/04/14/news-roundup-328/
LikeLike
Probably not for a long time, RCR does not have the capital needed….
LikeLike
Ye they have it, they just don’t spend it. Result = bad ownership
LikeLike
Compagnie de ski du Québec needs to buy this resort
LikeLike
It would be an interesting end up. I think the best would be that government expropriates RCR (Return the Cash in the Rockies), and the MSA management would go to the SÉPAQ. CMSQ is scaring me, because it smells like a mini-vail…
The government annouced this week that they are planning to give money to RCR to modernize the mountain. Smells like corruption. That is the last thing they should do, according to me.
LikeLike
100% everything you said
LikeLike
CMSQ smells like a mini-vail. I think the best would be that the government expropriates RCR (Return the Cash in the Rockies), and gives back the management to the SÉPAQ (as it was before RCR came in).
After that, this week, RCR announced that the governement of Quebec is planning to give money to RCR to upgrade the mountain. What a shame to take public founds to help criminals like RCR.
LikeLike
Le Massif got 400M$, who’s corrupt. Average family can’t go there anymore. Getting RCR out will end up costing more. CMSQ will probably end up asking for funds eventually as well. It’s all the same…
LikeLike
Well in that case the best option would be SÉPAQ. Prices are increasing with RCR, meanwhile the mountain is deteriorating. At Massif, prices are increasing, but they are able to justify it with the services. SÉPAQ would still use the government’s money, but at least, it will be injected in the governement, and not in a private corporation.
LikeLike
who else loves these quirky old express lifts, even with their faults it is still cool to see some resorts keeping them running for just a little while longer.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I do! I just wish there were still more around–like the Stadeli triple ones in Switzerland. Those were very advanced for 1983.
LikeLike
Those chairs look like early EJ prototypes!
LikeLike