Top station from the gondola.Last few towers before the summit.Middle portion of the lift line.Lower line.View of the base from 1A.Loading area.As of this writing, Ruthies is one of only two remaining detachable triples in North America.Riding up.Riding through Aspen’s namesake trees.Arriving at the drive.Unloading ramp and operator house.Terminal underskin.View down from the top.
Cameron is right. It’s a Garaventa Called Sunnyside. It’s planned to be replaced along with Albion by a chondola. There are, however, still European detachable triples, like Schindlergrat at St. Anton, a 1981 Doppelmayr/Von Roll that has a built in evac system. You can see pictures of it here (https://www.remontees-mecaniques.net/bdd/reportage-tsd3-schindlergrat-doppelmayr-1264.html).
The Schindlergrat lift is gone as of this April, which is a pity as it was a nice lift serving awesome terrain. The replacement is a two section gondola. As far as I know it is the last detachable triple in my neck of woods. We still have two detachable doubles, including one with partial bubble chairs in Hochimst, though.
The towers and terminals appear to be quad gauge so this lift could probably be converted to a quad if it were ever relocated. I don’t think Poma ever made a triple gauge detachable terminal so when Aspen wanted one they didn’t change anything but the chairs.
Aspen considers this chair a “high speed double”. Even though it uses triple carriers, Aspen only allows 2 people to load per chair.
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Why would they do that if it is a triple chair?
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From what I have heard, it is to preserve the character of the area.
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There’s three people in the 5th picture
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Does anyone know where the other detachable triple is?
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Alta, UT
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Cameron is right. It’s a Garaventa Called Sunnyside. It’s planned to be replaced along with Albion by a chondola. There are, however, still European detachable triples, like Schindlergrat at St. Anton, a 1981 Doppelmayr/Von Roll that has a built in evac system. You can see pictures of it here (https://www.remontees-mecaniques.net/bdd/reportage-tsd3-schindlergrat-doppelmayr-1264.html).
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The Schindlergrat lift is gone as of this April, which is a pity as it was a nice lift serving awesome terrain. The replacement is a two section gondola. As far as I know it is the last detachable triple in my neck of woods. We still have two detachable doubles, including one with partial bubble chairs in Hochimst, though.
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The towers and terminals appear to be quad gauge so this lift could probably be converted to a quad if it were ever relocated. I don’t think Poma ever made a triple gauge detachable terminal so when Aspen wanted one they didn’t change anything but the chairs.
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Yes, all the line gear on Ruthie’s is quad guage.
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Why would people build a detachable triple instead of a detachable quad or six pack?
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Most often to keep the skier concentration on trials lower, but to also provide a better experience for the skier (faster lift).
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