Top terminal.Top and lift line.Top station from below.Top terminal.Lift line.Lower section of the lift line.View up towards the summit.Tower 4.The lower station is height adjustable, maintenance rail and all.Chairs parked on the rail.Base terminal and lift line.Side view of the return terminal.Upper lift line view.
The Outback Riblet double was removed when Northwest Express opened in 1996. In addition, this lift had its center arm rests removed for the 18/19 season with the addition of new seat pads and back rests.
It and Green Chair were taken out of commission respectively when the Outback Express and Skyliner Express were built. But they stuck around for a couple years as maintenance lifts, I think: https://skimap.org/data/270/7/1209415902.jpg
I remember seeing the original Outback run, but by the time I got to the bottom of it it had shut down again. May have just been a weekly spin, I know they would do that from time to time.
I get the feeling management probably used the old Outback chair and the Blue chair as ski patrol evac training areas for a couple years after the Outback Express and Skyliner went in.
I’m pretty positive Vista Bahn was not height adjustable. If so they did a dang good job at hiding it as it showed no evidence but there was no reason for it anyway. I’ll get in contact with my source who actually helped install it.
Vista Bahn was not height adjustable. I think PMX and Outback are the only CLD-260s that are/were height adjustable. To my knowledge, I don’t believe Mt. Bachelor uses the height adjustment anymore on Outback as all the snow can now be pushed down towards Northwest Express.
Waited in 45 minute lines on this lift several days last week. Combined with wind exposure, maintenance issues mentioned above, and all-around tired feel of this lift (it’s not exactly aging gracefully like old Riblets), it’s time to replace this with a detachable 6 at 3,600 pph. While they’re at it, they should do Pine Marten too; waited 20-30 mins there all week. Hopefully the one good outcome of the influx of new Ikon visitors is that they’ll have money to do some of these needed infrastructure upgrades.
Yeah, it’s 2800 already and I think the terrain can handle more. They could start with 3000 and add more chairs later if it’s a cost thing.
Now that I think about it, Skyliner could use this same treatment when the time comes. It’s only a couple years newer, but at least it seems to be in better shape and more shielded from the wind. Long lines there too.
Or maybe high speed six packs for Pine Marten and Outback, while using the current Pine Marten to replace Rainbow (extended to its original end point) or to cut additional trails to the southeast of Cloudchaser.
The Outback Riblet double was removed when Northwest Express opened in 1996. In addition, this lift had its center arm rests removed for the 18/19 season with the addition of new seat pads and back rests.
LikeLike
It and Green Chair were taken out of commission respectively when the Outback Express and Skyliner Express were built. But they stuck around for a couple years as maintenance lifts, I think: https://skimap.org/data/270/7/1209415902.jpg
LikeLike
EDIT: Actually, the “maintenance chair” in the Skyliner pod was the former Blue Chair. https://skimap.org/data/270/7/1210732079.jpg
LikeLike
I remember seeing the original Outback run, but by the time I got to the bottom of it it had shut down again. May have just been a weekly spin, I know they would do that from time to time.
LikeLike
I get the feeling management probably used the old Outback chair and the Blue chair as ski patrol evac training areas for a couple years after the Outback Express and Skyliner went in.
LikeLike
In a way, the Outback Express functioned as a bit of an expansion, given it was installed on a longer alignment to serve Pine Marten Lodge.
LikeLike
Are there any other height-adjustable CLD-260 terminals? Can’t think of any
LikeLike
Original Pine Marten was, that’s the only other I can think of.
LikeLike
Vista Bahn was at Vail, but the Gondola replaced it.
LikeLike
I’m pretty positive Vista Bahn was not height adjustable. If so they did a dang good job at hiding it as it showed no evidence but there was no reason for it anyway. I’ll get in contact with my source who actually helped install it.
LikeLike
Vista Bahn was not height adjustable. I think PMX and Outback are the only CLD-260s that are/were height adjustable. To my knowledge, I don’t believe Mt. Bachelor uses the height adjustment anymore on Outback as all the snow can now be pushed down towards Northwest Express.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Outback has been running at reduced speed since Christmas. Staff claims it is running at 3.8 m/s “due to insurance reasons”.
LikeLike
I should also add they said it will be running slow the rest of the year.
LikeLike
Why would they run it slow for insurance reasons? Are there problems with the lift and any plans to fix?
LikeLike
Supposedly it failed its high-speed test by the state. No further details other than that it will not be running at full speed at all this year.
LikeLike
Looks like it’s coming closer to replacement time. I could see them do the same thing to this lift as they did to pine marten.
LikeLike
Waited in 45 minute lines on this lift several days last week. Combined with wind exposure, maintenance issues mentioned above, and all-around tired feel of this lift (it’s not exactly aging gracefully like old Riblets), it’s time to replace this with a detachable 6 at 3,600 pph. While they’re at it, they should do Pine Marten too; waited 20-30 mins there all week. Hopefully the one good outcome of the influx of new Ikon visitors is that they’ll have money to do some of these needed infrastructure upgrades.
LikeLike
I think they will do something like they did to Pine Marten here. 3,600 pph is too much capacity for this lift. I would say 3,200 pph 6 pack.
LikeLike
More likely 3,000 pph.
LikeLike
Yeah, it’s 2800 already and I think the terrain can handle more. They could start with 3000 and add more chairs later if it’s a cost thing.
Now that I think about it, Skyliner could use this same treatment when the time comes. It’s only a couple years newer, but at least it seems to be in better shape and more shielded from the wind. Long lines there too.
LikeLike
Or maybe high speed six packs for Pine Marten and Outback, while using the current Pine Marten to replace Rainbow (extended to its original end point) or to cut additional trails to the southeast of Cloudchaser.
LikeLike
I personally love the old CLD-260 chairs, sad that they are becoming unreliable. It makes me wonder which one will be the last to be removed.
LikeLike
Probably Olympic at Nakiska because it isn’t used much and it’s in pretty good condition.
LikeLike
by that statement, Squaw One at Squaw Valley probably has some more life in it.
LikeLike