Some weekends, usually until the morning crowd abates, maybe 5-10 weekends a winter. Face laps are more better if 4 is running, although new Chair 2 will probably change that. I’ll still ride 4 because RIBLET.
The Riblet lifts at Bogus have always been bail chairs, not center pole. These are newer chairs (they replaced them all in the 90s I believe), but the old ones were narrower bail chairs as well. Learning to ski at Bogus in the early 80s, I didn’t realize there was such thing as a center pole until I skied Brundage for the first time and looked to the outside to grab on and realized there was nothing to grab on to.
It rarely runs, so I doubt there are plans to replace it. It’s basically a backup lift that helps with the crowds during the busy Christmas week and early January weekend crowds. It’s the last Riblet on the mountain, so I’m not necessarily sad about it staying as-is. When I was a kid, it was often used for the intermediate ski lessons to take pressure off Deer Point when it was still a 2 person Yan lift. I could only see it being replaced if they planned to return to that purpose, since lines at Deer Point Express can get backed up. But I think it’s probably better just to upgrade Deer Point Express to a six pack when it comes time to replace it, as opposed to spending money on Showcase.
Agree with you on Chair 4’s usefulness. It’s great for early season (and any busy Saturdays). The fall line is consistent and it eliminates the long flat back to the base area. The runs are a manageable length for early season legs, too. I wish they’d run it all the time, but it never sees much traffic once the hill fully opens. Grain of salt to grind in the rumour mill: just the other day I heard a patroller in line on Chair 1 telling some folks he was skiing with that they’ll soon pull Chair 4 down and throw something up from the current bottom terminal to the top of Tiger or nearby. No corroboration, and personally, I don’t see the value, but who knows. My wish list is lighting Chair 5 for nights and opening Clear Creek. Not sure either of those would ever happen.
Lift Blog 
How often does this lift run? You can get to everything from the HSQ.
LikeLike
Some weekends, usually until the morning crowd abates, maybe 5-10 weekends a winter. Face laps are more better if 4 is running, although new Chair 2 will probably change that. I’ll still ride 4 because RIBLET.
LikeLike
Are the chairs on this lift original? These appear to be newer Riblet bail chairs.
LikeLike
I’d say not those chairs came around in the late 1980s most likely it would of been a center pole double
LikeLike
Riblet made bail chairs at least as early as ’62.
LikeLike
Note those bail chairs though.
LikeLike
As early as the 1940s, on their first double chairlifts.
LikeLike
The Riblet lifts at Bogus have always been bail chairs, not center pole. These are newer chairs (they replaced them all in the 90s I believe), but the old ones were narrower bail chairs as well. Learning to ski at Bogus in the early 80s, I didn’t realize there was such thing as a center pole until I skied Brundage for the first time and looked to the outside to grab on and realized there was nothing to grab on to.
LikeLike
When is this stated to be replaced? Looks like it’s getting a bit old.
LikeLike
It rarely runs, so I doubt there are plans to replace it. It’s basically a backup lift that helps with the crowds during the busy Christmas week and early January weekend crowds. It’s the last Riblet on the mountain, so I’m not necessarily sad about it staying as-is. When I was a kid, it was often used for the intermediate ski lessons to take pressure off Deer Point when it was still a 2 person Yan lift. I could only see it being replaced if they planned to return to that purpose, since lines at Deer Point Express can get backed up. But I think it’s probably better just to upgrade Deer Point Express to a six pack when it comes time to replace it, as opposed to spending money on Showcase.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Agree with you on Chair 4’s usefulness. It’s great for early season (and any busy Saturdays). The fall line is consistent and it eliminates the long flat back to the base area. The runs are a manageable length for early season legs, too. I wish they’d run it all the time, but it never sees much traffic once the hill fully opens. Grain of salt to grind in the rumour mill: just the other day I heard a patroller in line on Chair 1 telling some folks he was skiing with that they’ll soon pull Chair 4 down and throw something up from the current bottom terminal to the top of Tiger or nearby. No corroboration, and personally, I don’t see the value, but who knows. My wish list is lighting Chair 5 for nights and opening Clear Creek. Not sure either of those would ever happen.
LikeLiked by 1 person