Long lift line view.Poma Falcon station.Loading area at the base.Chain-drive turnaround.View back towards the bottom.Riding up.Upper part of the line.Line from above.Arrival side of the drive.Alpha-Falcon combo station.Winter Park at one point had two of these – Summit Express and Pioneer. Summit went to Mission Ridge, WA.Side view of the top station.Another view of the line.Lower lift line.Poma support tower.Depression tower in the flats.Alpha drive unit.
I had no idea doppelmayr did it too. I always figured it went straight from Quicksilver-like chairs to CLD-260. What was that terminal model called? In fact what was that fixed-grip model called? I know it was common but I can’t quite put my finger on it.
Both the fixed grip and detachable Doppelmayr models were commonly built in Eastern North America in the early and mid-80s. The detachable terminal doesn’t have a name (the CLD-260 was technically the first one to receive a name), whereas the fixed drive terminal doesn’t have a name either. Doppelmayr tended not to name their fixed grip designs until recent years.
Dopplemayr tried varying designs in the East at integrating the drive within the terminal. Strangely, they built lifts (see Mont Sainte-Anne) in the East where the drive and detachable equipment were separate even after Doppelmayr had introduced the CLD-260 in the West, which integrated both. To my knowledge, only two detachable lifts in the East built during that period (Atomic Express and at Sommet Saint-Sauveur and the Tremblant/Soleil Express at Tremblant, both in Quebec) actually integrated the drive and detachable equipment. Their drive terminals slightly resemble the CLD-260 terminals.
The originals were rejected during NDT. The replacements depend on what Grand Junction has in stock- I was able to get the Arceaux bails for the old Flyer when I rejected a couple, but I was told that doesn’t happen often.
They will never do Night skiing. Lariat most likely wont be replaces as a bike trail goes through it. In the summer the gondola cabins never come off the line. They even leave them on in mud season. The snow making system is already on most of those trails even though there is a 5 year snow making upgrade plan in effect on year three next year. I would rather see pioneer be replaced with a 6 pack and not have a mid station. They won’t do a parking barn at every lift. Most lifts will have a Leitner Direct Drive as that is the new model.
Copy. To us mechanics, a deropement is when the haul rope comes off the sheaves on a tower (what many people call a ‘derailment’). Just wanted to clarify.
They offer people a free day pass, but people to email the resort. Winter Park certainly isn’t making it very clear they’re giving day passes to those with a voucher; they clearly want people to spend $5 so they don’t have to do the right thing and actually offer compensation. WP management’s response certainly isn’t reflecting on them in a good way.
Ikon passholders got $5 vouchers for F&B. Non-Ikon passholders got ticket vouchers. The reasoning was that it is redundant to offer someone with a season pass a voucher for a day ticket this season. I probably would have given a lot more than $5, but I do understand the reasoning for not giving ticket vouchers.
As far as this vintage goes, there are only two of these still operating in Colorado: this and Coney Glade. (The Summit Express, Falcon SuperChair, Colorado SuperChair, American Flyer, and Fanny Hill have all been replaced with high speed six packs)
It will be replaced in the coming years either before or after the looking glass replacement. I hope they replace this with a high speed six with no mid-station
No one knows for sure. The only people who likely know more are people in Winter Park management who have access to that information and legally can’t say anything.
It’s likely a higher priority than Looking Glass, because when Looking Glass goes down, you can still reach its terrain from the Prospector Express. But when Pioneer breaks down, an entire section of the mountain is crippled as it is the only lift in Vasquez Ridge.
I emailed Winter Park and Matt Anderson responded saying: “No specific plans for replacement or new lifts at this current time, but priority is typically given to lifts that are older that don’t have other lifts servicing the same area.” This is directly talking about Pioneer but also Olympia and Ealge Wind.
Matt Anderson is the guest services manager. He would only say something in an email if some sort of public announcement had already been made. Unless someone has inside information on either Winter Park or Alterra, the first time the public will know will be when Winter Park or Alterra distribute a press release.
This and Coney Glade at Snowmass for Colorado, and the Zephyr at Hunter in New York (which was rebuilt and relocated in 2011). Other than these 3, I don’t know if there are any more operating.
On the top station drive unit, it looks like they attached a fixed grip drive and put it behind a detachable station and combined it.
LikeLike
That’s what the early detachables were like. The drive was always separate. Doppelmayr did it too: http://www.chairlift.org/pics/stowe/st84.jpg
LikeLiked by 2 people
I had no idea doppelmayr did it too. I always figured it went straight from Quicksilver-like chairs to CLD-260. What was that terminal model called? In fact what was that fixed-grip model called? I know it was common but I can’t quite put my finger on it.
LikeLike
Both the fixed grip and detachable Doppelmayr models were commonly built in Eastern North America in the early and mid-80s. The detachable terminal doesn’t have a name (the CLD-260 was technically the first one to receive a name), whereas the fixed drive terminal doesn’t have a name either. Doppelmayr tended not to name their fixed grip designs until recent years.
Dopplemayr tried varying designs in the East at integrating the drive within the terminal. Strangely, they built lifts (see Mont Sainte-Anne) in the East where the drive and detachable equipment were separate even after Doppelmayr had introduced the CLD-260 in the West, which integrated both. To my knowledge, only two detachable lifts in the East built during that period (Atomic Express and at Sommet Saint-Sauveur and the Tremblant/Soleil Express at Tremblant, both in Quebec) actually integrated the drive and detachable equipment. Their drive terminals slightly resemble the CLD-260 terminals.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What happened to that lift when it was replaced with a newer Doppelmayr?
LikeLike
While the lift has Arceaux chairs primarily, a few of them are Competition chairs: https://skiliftblog.files.wordpress.com/2017/01/img_5488.jpg
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t see any Competition chairs. All of the carriers on this lift are second-gen Arceaux quad chairs.
LikeLike
If you look closely at the picture, there’s a snowboarder in a turquoise coat that’s riding a different chair.
LikeLiked by 5 people
You can make out a different Competition chair if you squint very closely at the midline depression tower in the distance here: https://skiliftblog.files.wordpress.com/2017/01/img_5457.jpg
LikeLike
Chairs number 44 and 75 are competition model chairs. I still wonder why.
LikeLike
Perhaps the old chairs had some structural problems or something.
LikeLike
The originals were rejected during NDT. The replacements depend on what Grand Junction has in stock- I was able to get the Arceaux bails for the old Flyer when I rejected a couple, but I was told that doesn’t happen often.
LikeLike
alpauris lift has competition chairs too
LikeLike
LikeLike
Unless she’s had a major overhaul recently, she’s overdue for replacement.
LikeLike
This will be the next replaced lift after sunnyside and possibly after the looking glass replacment.
LikeLike
I updated Pioneer Express Lift on my Map, go check it out below…
https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1JcCC-f3ZtSCIYd9NcbPmAoZ8OZ6cAfhu&usp=sharing
LikeLike
They will never do Night skiing. Lariat most likely wont be replaces as a bike trail goes through it. In the summer the gondola cabins never come off the line. They even leave them on in mud season. The snow making system is already on most of those trails even though there is a 5 year snow making upgrade plan in effect on year three next year. I would rather see pioneer be replaced with a 6 pack and not have a mid station. They won’t do a parking barn at every lift. Most lifts will have a Leitner Direct Drive as that is the new model.
LikeLike
She broke down yesterday. Left people stranded for 3 hours. :(
https://kdvr.com/news/local/skiers-stranded-for-hours-on-broken-down-winter-park-lift/
LikeLiked by 2 people
I just saw a video of the lift getting deroped
LikeLike
Do you have a link to the video?
LikeLike
Deroped? The incident report states it was a component failure. Are you referring to the passengers being belayed out of their chairs?
LikeLike
Yes I am referring to that.
LikeLike
Copy. To us mechanics, a deropement is when the haul rope comes off the sheaves on a tower (what many people call a ‘derailment’). Just wanted to clarify.
LikeLike
Also the people who were on it only got 5$ vouchers. You can’t even buy a Diet Coke there for that price. Other times people have gotten 5 day passes.
LikeLike
They offer people a free day pass, but people to email the resort. Winter Park certainly isn’t making it very clear they’re giving day passes to those with a voucher; they clearly want people to spend $5 so they don’t have to do the right thing and actually offer compensation. WP management’s response certainly isn’t reflecting on them in a good way.
LikeLike
Ikon passholders got $5 vouchers for F&B. Non-Ikon passholders got ticket vouchers. The reasoning was that it is redundant to offer someone with a season pass a voucher for a day ticket this season. I probably would have given a lot more than $5, but I do understand the reasoning for not giving ticket vouchers.
LikeLike
Here is the report form…
LikeLiked by 1 person
When do they plan to replace this lift? It seems to be getting very old and just broke down
LikeLike
In the new lift upgrades they just announced they want to upgrade Pioneer to a Leitner Poma 6 pack. 2022 is when it will likely be built.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Does anyone know why they put the base of the lift so far down on the flats? It seems absurdly far down on the flats. Thanks all.
LikeLike
How many of these are left?
LikeLike
As in, this type of lift?
LikeLike
As far as this vintage goes, there are only two of these still operating in Colorado: this and Coney Glade. (The Summit Express, Falcon SuperChair, Colorado SuperChair, American Flyer, and Fanny Hill have all been replaced with high speed six packs)
LikeLike
When do they plan to replace this lift? It is getting ancient!
LikeLike
Yes when will they
LikeLike
It will be replaced in the coming years either before or after the looking glass replacement. I hope they replace this with a high speed six with no mid-station
LikeLike
It will most likely either after Alterra gets their money back from Losses or after Covid-19.
LikeLike
No one knows for sure. The only people who likely know more are people in Winter Park management who have access to that information and legally can’t say anything.
It’s likely a higher priority than Looking Glass, because when Looking Glass goes down, you can still reach its terrain from the Prospector Express. But when Pioneer breaks down, an entire section of the mountain is crippled as it is the only lift in Vasquez Ridge.
LikeLike
I emailed Winter Park and Matt Anderson responded saying: “No specific plans for replacement or new lifts at this current time, but priority is typically given to lifts that are older that don’t have other lifts servicing the same area.” This is directly talking about Pioneer but also Olympia and Ealge Wind.
LikeLike
Matt Anderson is the guest services manager. He would only say something in an email if some sort of public announcement had already been made. Unless someone has inside information on either Winter Park or Alterra, the first time the public will know will be when Winter Park or Alterra distribute a press release.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This and Coney Glade at Snowmass for Colorado, and the Zephyr at Hunter in New York (which was rebuilt and relocated in 2011). Other than these 3, I don’t know if there are any more operating.
LikeLike
6PACK FOR 2022 Season!! Leitner Poma
LikeLike
Please keep the chairs for future use.
LikeLike