I’m pretty sure it’s permanent. Was here last year and there is a concrete floor that guides the cabins around each turn in the terminals. If they wanted to run it through they would have to reconstruct parts of the terminals.
I’d imagine the gondola is disjointed like this to stop high-altitude winds from closing off access to the lower ski area as well. I’m not sure how long it takes to switch from through-running to lower section only in order to avoid a wind hold, but the time could be significant enough that running cabins through by default might prove impractical.
It’s actually usually more convenient. And most people either park at the upper lot next to the midstation anyways, or only ride it once to get into the upper mtn. The trail map doesn’t do the resort justice, the upper gondi serves almost 3k’, and that’s all most skiers want to lap. Compared to a mid load, it ensures every cabin starts empty at the point most people want the most capacity. Yes, the lower gondi tends to be less filled, and with good liftys you can save empty cabins, but it still means a 10-15% efficiency increase for the upper stage. Which matters when there’s a 20min line. Plus you’re saving the lower gondi from any delays for the begintermediate crowd lapping the notable 900′ of the lower stage.
I’m told that it took about 30 mins to disconnect or reconnect the lift, so they decided to permanently run it as two separate lifts. You can see in the photo of the mid station the floor between the sections is filled in, so it can never run connected. It’s probably far less inconvenient for the guests to get out and in at mid, than have to wait for it to be disconnected/connected.
Frankly that is a stupid design choice. Why not just build it as two completely separate lifts then. The Top of Stage 1/Base of Stage 2 also looks to be poorly located
I’ve never seen photos of this gondola with cabins running from stage 1 straight to stage 2.
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As in, occasions where they run cabins through must be very rare, since the floors kinda make me think that’s only special occasions.
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Donald, you’re starting to carry on conversations with yourself🤔😏
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I’m pretty sure it’s permanent. Was here last year and there is a concrete floor that guides the cabins around each turn in the terminals. If they wanted to run it through they would have to reconstruct parts of the terminals.
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I didn’t realize the bottom terminal was so low. It must be like 600m above sea level
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Why are the segments run independently to inconvenience resort patrons?
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I’d imagine the gondola is disjointed like this to stop high-altitude winds from closing off access to the lower ski area as well. I’m not sure how long it takes to switch from through-running to lower section only in order to avoid a wind hold, but the time could be significant enough that running cabins through by default might prove impractical.
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It’s actually usually more convenient. And most people either park at the upper lot next to the midstation anyways, or only ride it once to get into the upper mtn. The trail map doesn’t do the resort justice, the upper gondi serves almost 3k’, and that’s all most skiers want to lap. Compared to a mid load, it ensures every cabin starts empty at the point most people want the most capacity. Yes, the lower gondi tends to be less filled, and with good liftys you can save empty cabins, but it still means a 10-15% efficiency increase for the upper stage. Which matters when there’s a 20min line. Plus you’re saving the lower gondi from any delays for the begintermediate crowd lapping the notable 900′ of the lower stage.
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I’m told that it took about 30 mins to disconnect or reconnect the lift, so they decided to permanently run it as two separate lifts. You can see in the photo of the mid station the floor between the sections is filled in, so it can never run connected. It’s probably far less inconvenient for the guests to get out and in at mid, than have to wait for it to be disconnected/connected.
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Frankly that is a stupid design choice. Why not just build it as two completely separate lifts then. The Top of Stage 1/Base of Stage 2 also looks to be poorly located
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