View up the lift line.Looking towards Telluride.This lift starts next to the gondola and sees limited operation hours.Another look up the line.Drive-tension station in town.Leaving gondola plaza.The breakover.Arriving up top.Fixed return bullwheel.
Is this the original Lift 4 from 1972, relocated back in 1985? It looks very similar to my memory of the other originals, and to the 1972 SLI doubles at 49 Degrees North.
Yes. In 1985, I was working for CTEC and we took out two SLI lifts and built Oak Street with the parts, as well as building two new CTEC lifts – the Plunge and a triple called Village, which I guess has been replaced.
In 1985, Telski relocated the original Gorrono Lift 4 (SLI 2FG ’72) to its present location as Oak Street Lift 8. The previous year, 1984, the Village Lift 3 (SLI 2FG ’72) was realigned to the top of the ridge near the top of the Coonskin Lift 7; this realigned lift was eventually removed in 1999. In 1985, a new Village Lift 4 (CTEC 3FG ’85) was installed running from the bottom of the old lift 3 to the top of the old Lift 4 and was moved in 1999 to its present location replacing the original Lift 6 (SLI 2FG ’72). In 1999, Telski installed another new Village Lift 4 (Dopp 4DQ ’99). The rope evac tower stands where the original SLI Lift 4 top terminal was located. The Plunge Lift 9 (CTEC 3FG ’99) is still operating but Telski is saying it will be replaced with a 4DQ next summer.
I am not sure if there is a plan to upgrade this lift, as it really is not useful in its current alignment besides acting as a backup to the gondola. Lifts really have two purposes: lapping or access/transport. The alignment does not provide much for lapping besides midseason when the snow gets deep all the way down to the town (and even then the runs are quite short), and the neighboring gondola is much better for mountain access unless you are specifically going to Plunge. If they were to upgrade the lift, they would need to realign it or something to make it worthwhile.
I disagree that the gondola is better for access. If you’re trying to quickly reach the upper mountain, plunge is a pretty smart route to take from the Village. The gondola doesn’t really get you to any other (non-base area) lifts.
Getting to Prospect from town (Times listed in parentheses)
Oak Street (5m)->Plunge (12m, 6m with new HSQ)->ski to Prospect (5m)
Total: 22 minutes (16 minutes with a HSQ on plunge)
Gondola (6m)->ski to Mountain Village (3m)->Village Express (6m)->ski to chair 5 (3m)->Polar Queen Express (5m), ski to prospect (2m)
Total: 25 minutes
Utah Lost Ski Area ProjectDecember 13, 2021 / 6:07 pm
Not if you take the gondola to Plunge. While I haven’t skied Telluride, it looks to be possible from the trail maps. You only save one minute by using Oak Street.
When I was in Telluride (and stayed in town with a local friend), Oak to Plunge was our usual start of the day. We mostly stayed on that side of the mountain due to the bump runs, so we might not be the average skiers. Oaks was usually one of the least crowded lifts.
@Utahlostskiareaproject gondola to plunge is possible but it requires a couple minutes of hiking from the top of the gondola. Most people don’t like that.
Maybe, but I doubt it. People just prefer taking the Gondola to get up the mountain, and it will continue providing easier access for the mountain’s beginner and intermediate terrain.
I hope so. I never understood why it stops running at 1:30. I much prefer chair 8 over the gondola. Takes you right to the bottom of chair 9, and chair 9 gives you skiing access to 12 and 14.
Not sure if there’s any merit to this, but I’ve heard part of the reason Telluride doesn’t spin this lift frequently is because it lacks safety bars and therefore only run it during peak periods.
Lift Blog 
Is this the original Lift 4 from 1972, relocated back in 1985? It looks very similar to my memory of the other originals, and to the 1972 SLI doubles at 49 Degrees North.
LikeLike
The SLI doubles at 49 may be on their last legs, HSQ’s have been announced as replacements.
LikeLike
I must ask, are you the son of former 49 Degrees North general manager John Eminger?
LikeLike
Yes I am, I still work lift maintenance there.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Yes. In 1985, I was working for CTEC and we took out two SLI lifts and built Oak Street with the parts, as well as building two new CTEC lifts – the Plunge and a triple called Village, which I guess has been replaced.
LikeLike
Part of what is seemingly the village triple still stands as a rope-evac practice area. Lookers right at the top of the now Village Express.
LikeLike
Which two SLI lifts, Upper Gorrono and … ?
LikeLike
I think one was Upper Goronno, I can’t recall what the other was called.
LikeLike
In 1985, Telski relocated the original Gorrono Lift 4 (SLI 2FG ’72) to its present location as Oak Street Lift 8. The previous year, 1984, the Village Lift 3 (SLI 2FG ’72) was realigned to the top of the ridge near the top of the Coonskin Lift 7; this realigned lift was eventually removed in 1999. In 1985, a new Village Lift 4 (CTEC 3FG ’85) was installed running from the bottom of the old lift 3 to the top of the old Lift 4 and was moved in 1999 to its present location replacing the original Lift 6 (SLI 2FG ’72). In 1999, Telski installed another new Village Lift 4 (Dopp 4DQ ’99). The rope evac tower stands where the original SLI Lift 4 top terminal was located. The Plunge Lift 9 (CTEC 3FG ’99) is still operating but Telski is saying it will be replaced with a 4DQ next summer.
LikeLiked by 1 person
When will they upgrade this lift?? And what would they make it to?
LikeLike
I am not sure if there is a plan to upgrade this lift, as it really is not useful in its current alignment besides acting as a backup to the gondola. Lifts really have two purposes: lapping or access/transport. The alignment does not provide much for lapping besides midseason when the snow gets deep all the way down to the town (and even then the runs are quite short), and the neighboring gondola is much better for mountain access unless you are specifically going to Plunge. If they were to upgrade the lift, they would need to realign it or something to make it worthwhile.
LikeLike
I disagree that the gondola is better for access. If you’re trying to quickly reach the upper mountain, plunge is a pretty smart route to take from the Village. The gondola doesn’t really get you to any other (non-base area) lifts.
Getting to Prospect from town (Times listed in parentheses)
Oak Street (5m)->Plunge (12m, 6m with new HSQ)->ski to Prospect (5m)
Total: 22 minutes (16 minutes with a HSQ on plunge)
Gondola (6m)->ski to Mountain Village (3m)->Village Express (6m)->ski to chair 5 (3m)->Polar Queen Express (5m), ski to prospect (2m)
Total: 25 minutes
LikeLike
Not if you take the gondola to Plunge. While I haven’t skied Telluride, it looks to be possible from the trail maps. You only save one minute by using Oak Street.
LikeLike
When I was in Telluride (and stayed in town with a local friend), Oak to Plunge was our usual start of the day. We mostly stayed on that side of the mountain due to the bump runs, so we might not be the average skiers. Oaks was usually one of the least crowded lifts.
LikeLiked by 1 person
@Utahlostskiareaproject gondola to plunge is possible but it requires a couple minutes of hiking from the top of the gondola. Most people don’t like that.
LikeLike
I could see them running this lift more often next year once the Plunge Express goes in.
LikeLike
Maybe, but I doubt it. People just prefer taking the Gondola to get up the mountain, and it will continue providing easier access for the mountain’s beginner and intermediate terrain.
LikeLike
I hope so. I never understood why it stops running at 1:30. I much prefer chair 8 over the gondola. Takes you right to the bottom of chair 9, and chair 9 gives you skiing access to 12 and 14.
LikeLike
Not sure if there’s any merit to this, but I’ve heard part of the reason Telluride doesn’t spin this lift frequently is because it lacks safety bars and therefore only run it during peak periods.
LikeLike
Here’s a video of this lift:
https://youtu.be/sw_zw_x-2Lk?si=QyZjdqV9R5dunTGL
LikeLike