Ski Wentworth Announces New Chairlift

Peter Landsman2 Comments

Nova Scotia’s largest ski area will debut a second base-to summit quad chair late next year in partnership with Doppelmayr Canada. The mountain currently features a 1987 quad chair and a 1960s-era Poma T-Bar. “This is a game changer,” said Leslie Wilson, Ski Wentworth President and General Manager. “It’s been a long time coming, but the timing was right now to make a major investment and take Ski Wentworth to the next level, setting the stage for potential four season development.” The fixed grip quad will rise approximately 750 feet over a nearly 4,000 foot slope length.

A little-known fact is Ski Wentworth had two quads throughout the 1990s. One of them was later sold and moved to Morin Heights, Quebec. Therefore it’s particularly fitting that the ski area will once again feature two chairlifts. “Now is the time to continue to the next phase of Ski Wentworth’s development as the region moves towards the post-pandemic era,” said the resort. “As a result of a renewed focus on promoting local tourism to Nova Scotians and Maritimers, a burgeoning tourism shoulder season mountain biking, development of new tourism products and an increasing awareness of healthy, outdoor lifestyles, Ski Wentworth is primed for the future.”

News Roundup: Life Behind Lifts

Peter Landsman5 Comments

Czech Tram Car Falls, Killing One

Peter Landsman1 Comment

Another aerial tramway has crashed in Europe, this time in the Czech Republic. The incident occurred on a two cabin reversible system on Ještěd Mountain around 2:00 pm Sunday. An attendant operating the downbound cabin suffered fatal injuries. Thirteen passengers and a dog in the upbound cabin were safely evacuated by ladder truck.

The 4,000 foot long tramway was constructed by a Czech firm and opened in 1933. Each cabin rides on one track rope and there is a single haul rope loop made up of two segments. A major renovation of the system was completed in 1975 with electrical upgrades undertaken more recently. The lift is operated by a government-owned national railway and today was the last scheduled day of operation before a planned seasonal maintenance period. “The cause of this tragic accident is being investigated,” read a statement from the company. “Czech Railways expresses regret over the accident and sends its deepest condolences to the bereaved.”

This is the third catastrophic incident of the year on European aerial tramways. 14 people were killed in May when a haul rope broke on a tram in Northern Italy. Last month, two cabins were destroyed when a tramway failed to stop in France. That mishap occurred during maintenance and no one was injured.

Later in the day, the rail company issued a second statement and acknowledged the haul rope system failed, causing one of the cabins to fall.

We are very sorry that this tragic event has taken place and we want to express our deepest condolences to the survivors of our colleague. At the same time, we would like to thank all those who participated in the evacuation of passengers from the second cabin and took care of their transfer to safety. The cableway to Ještěd has a prescribed system of inspections, checks and revisions, which are regularly performed and records and protocols are kept about them. There is a daily visual inspection of the equipment with testing of safety features and regular maintenance every Monday. Every 14 days, the cable car undergoes a major inspection and once a month a so-called comprehensive inspection with protocol records. Major inspections are carried out on the cable car twice a year, always in spring and autumn between the summer and winter seasons. The ropes have a prescribed diagnostic inspection, which is performed for the supporting ropes every 3 years and for smaller ropes, every 2 years. The last diagnostic inspection of the tow rope took place in November 2020. Another inspection was recommended by an expert by November 2022.

News Roundup: Wish List

Peter Landsman18 Comments

News Roundup: Even Ten

Peter Landsman55 Comments

Sierra at Tahoe Aims to Open with Limited Terrain

Peter Landsman7 Comments

As a winter storm heads for California, significant work remains before Sierra at Tahoe can open for the 2021/22 season. It was seven weeks ago the Caldor Fire tore through the majority of the resort’s drought-stricken terrain, damaging lifts and destroying millions of dollars of equipment. Most buildings were saved but Sierra now says extensive damage and supply chain challenges could mean a later than normal start to the season with limited terrain. Parts of the ski area won’t open at all this winter, including the entirety of West Bowl and its two chairlifts.

The season will likely include the Easy Rider Express, Tahoe King, Short Stuff and El Dorado. These lifts are currently undergoing repairs along with normal annual maintenance and inspections. Short Stuff’s fire-damaged haul rope has already been replaced with a spare rope from Mammoth Mountain installed with assistance from Palisades Tahoe. Another lift which needs a new rope, the Grandview Express, will remain out of service until a replacement arrives from Switzerland. “We are focused on making repairs and restoring Sierra to optimal condition, while simultaneously navigating global supply chain and shipping challenges for essential equipment and components,” read an update posted yesterday.

In addition to the West Bowl closure, many tree skiing areas will be off limits the 2021/22 season due to dangerous conditions. Sierra at Tahoe is offering passholders next season on top of this one should they choose to stick it out. This deal also includes a $50 rebate, which can optionally be donated to a fund for Sierra employees impacted by the fire. Resort owners will match $50 donations to make them $100. Passholders who choose not to take the two year season pass options can request a full refund.

“Our opening timeframe for the 2021/22 season is still unknown, as there is a tremendous amount of work to be done in order to offer you the quality ski experience you have come to expect from Sierra,” the resort told passholders. “We are hopeful to have more clarity on an estimated timeframe for opening the resort in the coming weeks.”