Borvig built the first Spirit Express in 1986 with Leitner grips. 25 years later, Leitner-Poma replaced the terminals and chair with new models.Unloading area.Top terminal underskin.View down from the summit.Upper part of the lift line.Lower lift line.Chairs with bike carriers.Middle lift line.The first two towers.Borvig/Leitner equipment.The bottom station.Loading ramp.Lower terminal overview.
I recall seeing some photos of it on skilifts.org. It looked a lot like a Doppelmayr version of the Liberator Express at Mission Ridge. Since whoever runs that website is more anemic than the first Bush Administration, I’ve given up on ever being able to log in again.
Fun Fact, This lift when it had bubbles, Friendly Giant Summer OPS, and Some Prototype Riblet Bubbles are the only Non Japanese Bubble Chairs Pre 2006 to have no footrests
There’s used to be a lift in Japan thats rare and unique as the og Spirit Express
Diamond Liner at Yabuhara Kogen
– 1992 Japanese Leitner/Kashiyama Bubble
– High Maintenance
– Unique Towerheads
– Used to have footrests but taken off afew years before replacement
– Retired in 2014 and replaced with Nippon Cable Double
Lift Blog 
Any pictures of the old Spirit Express? I’d be curious to see a Borvig HSQ.
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I recall seeing some photos of it on skilifts.org. It looked a lot like a Doppelmayr version of the Liberator Express at Mission Ridge. Since whoever runs that website is more anemic than the first Bush Administration, I’ve given up on ever being able to log in again.
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I have some pictures of this lift. I’ll try to post if I can.
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Here’s a pic I found of the drive terminal in the process of being removed:
I have also looked at archives of their website and have found pictures of what appears to be the CTEC/Leitner chairs that were used on the lift:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1-HOW44Ls7gkjztTWcHYZ8RsMr9hFYlR0?usp=sharing
Hope this helps.
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LPA replaced the first tower as part of the rebuild.
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On Google Earth, you can see the old Spirit Express. Just go back in time to 2010, then you get a good view of the lift.
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I have a few pictures of the Spirit Express (Leitner-Borvig), but I’m not sure how to post them here.
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Perhaps put them in a google doc or a google drive folder and post the link (make sure link sharing/public access is on)?
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I posted the pictures of the Spirit Express I to my Google drive. Here’s the link to the folder: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1xqrpwnX5LjYs_AaR3s2CiJJwhD_ZTzCR?usp=sharing
Hopefully that works.
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Thanks Robb, great pictures!
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That brings back memories.
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Was there any old photos of this lift with its leitner carriers when it was new?
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I grew up in St. Cloud. I remember it the first year and the bubble chairs. Wish I had pictures.
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The old CTEC bubble chairs:
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Fun Fact, This lift when it had bubbles, Friendly Giant Summer OPS, and Some Prototype Riblet Bubbles are the only Non Japanese Bubble Chairs Pre 2006 to have no footrests
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There’s used to be a lift in Japan thats rare and unique as the og Spirit Express
Diamond Liner at Yabuhara Kogen
– 1992 Japanese Leitner/Kashiyama Bubble
– High Maintenance
– Unique Towerheads
– Used to have footrests but taken off afew years before replacement
– Retired in 2014 and replaced with Nippon Cable Double
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Any photos of the lift?
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Found some videos of this lift:
Video riding up the lift:
Many photos of the lift, including top and bottom Leitner terminals:
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