Boyne Resorts

Cypress Mountain Eyes Fleet Renewal

Peter Landsman6 Comments

All but one of Cypress Mountain’s six chairlifts would be replaced under a proposed Development Plan released yesterday and up for public consultation. As the largest of Metro Vancouver’s three ski areas, Cypress operates a fleet of five quads and one double, several of which are approaching the end of their useful life. Whistler-based Brent Harley and Associates (BHA) prepared the 60 year plan, which seeks to improve Cypress within its existing footprint rather than expanding. Approval of the vision and individual projects will rest with BC Parks as the ski area occupies Cypress Provincial Park.

Michigan-based Boyne Resorts took over Cypress in 2001 and immediately installed two Doppelmayr quad chairs now approaching 30 years old. Easy Rider, British Columbia’s third shortest chairlift, would be removed for two conveyors as part of a purpose-built learning expansion. Together with a new ski school building, learning forms the “centrepiece” of BHA’s plan. Vancouver is expected to add 700,000 residents by 2045, the majority of which will be immigrants or children of immigrants who don’t ski. Carpets are now considered easier for new skiers to learn than chairlifts. New conveyors would be positioned to break up existing terrain into shorter lengths of consistent grade. Once removed, the former beginner quad may be relocated and lengthened to replace Midway, the oldest lift at Cypress. The new quad would be called Lower Bowen, running closer to Lions Express and unloading lower on Mt. Strachan.

The second of Boyne’s original installs is Eagle Express. The development plan envisions a six pack replacing the detachable quad, transporting 2,800 skiers per hour (up from 2,200.) Eagle would also serve the Gravity Logic-designed Cypress Bike Park, set to open next summer. One thing a new Eagle won’t carry is mountain coaster carts. The current Eagle pipe coaster is expected to be removed and a new coaster with integrated uplift built near Easy Rider.

Further down the line Cypress envisions installing the Lower Mainland’s first eight place chairlift, joining fellow Boyne Resorts Big Sky, Boyne Mountain, Loon Mountain and Sunday River in the eight place club. Lions 8 would carryt 3,200 skiers per hour, 33 percent more than the current lift constructed for the 2010 Olympics. Finally Cypress plans to replace the Raven Ridge quad, a 1997 Poma fixed-grip with relatively long ride time. A detachable quad would reduce sit time and boost throughput from 2,000 skiers per hour to 2,200. This project could utilize equipment from one of Cypress’ existing detachable quads or one from elsewhere in the Boyne network.

“Together these lift improvements will modernize the lift network, increase beginner ski terrain, and improve circulation and the lift experience across the mountain,” BHA noted. “These changes modestly increase the Alpine Comfortable Carrying Capacity (CCC) from 4,713 to 4,866 skiers per day, while bringing the terrain offering into closer alignment with the skier marketplace.” In addition to lifts, Cypress envisions expanding snowmaking and adding year-round attractions such as a via ferrata, alpine viewing platforms and an aerial adventure park. Parking and facility expansions are also planned.

Cypress will host open houses on September 25th and 26th for the public to learn more. Folks can also share feedback with BC Parks online through November 16th.

Loon Mountain Plans Gondola Replacement

Peter Landsman23 Comments

One of the smallest-gauge gondolas in North American skiing could soon be headed for retirement. The Forest Service today posted Loon Mountain Resort’s application to replace the four passenger White Mountain Express Gondola with a 10 seat D-Line model from Doppelmayr. The new flagship would follow roughtly the same alignment and be constructed in 2027 or 2028. “The current gondola is one of the oldest detachable lifts in New England and nearing the end of its life cycle,” Loon wrote in its application to the White Mountain National Forest. “Visitation at Loon has increased significantly since 1988 when the current gondola was installed. Increasing the uphill capacity of the existing lift from 1,000 people per hour to approximately 1,800 to 2,400 people per hour would better serve guests.” Ten passenger cabins aren’t required to achieve such capacity but they’ve become the gold standard globally for gondolas. With ample space, families can ride together, lessons don’t need to split up and wheelchairs or mountain bikes are easily accommodated. Loon’s parent company, Boyne Resorts, recently partnered with Doppelmayr to install a similar 10 place gondola at Big Sky Resort. Like at Big Sky, I expect the new Loon gondola will feature Omega V cabins, heated seats and a direct drive.

The bottom terminal will move uphill and out of the Octagon Lodge while the top terminal will sit near the current one. Carrier parking will be included at one or both stations. The 7,000 foot long lift line will need to be widened from 35 feet to 65 feet, resulting in up to five acres of disturbance. At last week’s National Ski Areas Association convention, Under Secretary of Agriculture for Natural Resources and Environment Michael Boren told the industry the Forest Service plans to work expeditiously moving projects through environmental reviews. The Forest Service expects to analyze Loon’s project via a Categorical Exclusion, the lowest of three levels under the National Environmental Policy Act. A smaller pulse gondola project is also currently under review by the Town of Lincoln, which would connect Loon’s South Peak base with RiverWalk Resort at Loon Mountain. It’s possible Doppelmayr could construct both lifts at the same time.

When Loon’s existing gondola is retired, Telluride and Deer Valley will operate the only remaining four place gondolas in North American skiing.

News Roundup: Passport

Peter Landsman6 Comments

News Roundup: Free Gondola

Peter Landsman5 Comments

News Roundup: Modernizing

Peter Landsman6 Comments

Three New Triple Chairs Coming to Alpental, Washington

Peter Landsman9 Comments

The Summit at Snoqualmie today announced plans to build three new lifts in two years at Alpental, following other recent lift projects at Summit East and Summit Central. Year one at will see construction of a new Sessel triple this summer with a replacement Edelweiss triple and new International triple to follow in 2024. The projects are all part of the Summit 2030 plan announced by The Summit and parent company Boyne Resorts last year.

Sessel will be realigned with a 1,790 foot slope length and 590 foot vertical drop. The existing Riblet lift, built in 1967, rises about 80 feet less. The new Doppelmayr Alpenstar will feature a loading conveyor, boosting rope speed to 500 feet per minute and capacity to 1,800 skiers per hour. The lift will look very similar to the new Hidden Valley triple which Snoqualmie opened this season at Summit East.

Doppelmayr will also commence foundation work for both a replacement Edelweiss chair and brand new International triple this spring. Both these lifts will service upper mountain terrain beginning in the 2024-25 season.

Due to construction, Alpental will close earlier than normal on April 23rd. Most of the ski area is roadless, necessitating over snow access to tower and terminal locations.

Brighton Announces Crest 6 Project

Peter Landsman43 Comments

Doppelmayr will build the first D-Line lift in Utah this summer, a six pack replacing the aging Crest Express at Brighton Resort. In typical Boyne Resorts fashion, the replacement lift will feature 90 degree loading with a conveyor and video screen. Riders will enjoy a 5.3 minute ride time with an hourly capacity of 2,400 skiers per hour. In the summer, Crest will serve mountain bikers with three Bike Clips on each chair. The lift won’t have bubbles or heated seats.

Brighton also announced construction of a new mid-mountain restaurant and implementation of a parking reservation system for next season.

Crest 6 is the 9th new lift project announced by Brighton owner Boyne Resorts for the 2023/24 ski season. Construction is expected to begin in May.

News Roundup: Viral Videos

Peter Landsman16 Comments

Sugarloaf to Debut Bucksaw Express Next Winter

Peter Landsman13 Comments

The high speed quad servicing Sugarloaf’s planned West Mountain expansion got a name today: Bucksaw Express. The moniker is a nod to the Bucksaw double, a Stadeli which served the northwest edge of the mountain from 1969 to 2015. Sugarloaf began construction on the 450 acre expansion today and it is expected to open to skiers in February 2024.

The Bucksaw Express quad will span 6,574 feet with a vertical rise of 1,433 feet. Some of the equipment for the 755 horsepower lift comes from Big Sky Resort, where it operated as the Swift Current quad. The Doppelmayr detachable will be completely overhauled with brand new UNI G enclosures and many other upgrades. With a 1,000 feet per minute line speed, the lift will move 2,400 skiers per hour up West Mountain with a ride time of just seven minutes. As part of the project, the West Mountain double will be shortened to its current mid-station. The West Mountain project will include a dozen new alpine trails covering roughly 120 acres, which will increase Sugarloaf’s total skiable acreage by nearly 10 percent.

“This is the most significant development project at Sugarloaf since the SuperQuad was built in the mid-1990s,” said Sugarloaf General Manager Karl Strand. “We’re very excited to get to work on what will be a transformative project for the resort and our guests.”

Boyne Mountain to Replace Boyneland and Superbowl Lifts

Peter Landsman17 Comments

Even before the first eight place chairlift in the Midwest carries skiers up Boyne Mountain this month, two more lift projects are in the works. Next summer, Doppelmayr will replace both Boyneland and Superbowl, lifts which date back to 1995 and 1987, respectively. Boyneland will go from a fixed triple to a fixed quad and Superbowl from a fixed quad to a fixed triple.

The realigned Boyneland will load closer to the Mountain Express base area and become the gateway to family-friendly Disciples Ridge terrain. A height-adjustable loading conveyor will allow the replacement lift to operate twice as fast as the existing Borvig with a ride time of just four minutes.

Expert-focused Superbowl on the mountain’s south side will debut the fastest fixed grip chairlift in the Midwest. The new triple chair will spin at 2.5 meters per second or 492 feet per minute. Superbowl will also sport a loading carpet and the bottom terminal will shift downward to provide easier loading access. Additional space at the top will create an improved unloading experience.

Lifts are a major part of Renaissance 2030, an aggressive ten year capital improvement plan at Boyne Mountain. “These new lifts bring the latest in technology to Boyne Mountain and provide our guests with the absolute best skiing and riding experience in the Midwest,” said Jason Perl, general manager of Boyne Mountain Resort. “Better, faster lifts mean more time on the slopes, enjoying the exhilaration of the sports, and time with family and friends.” Both new lifts are expected to be complete in advance of the 2023-24 ski season.

Boyne Resorts now plans to build at least seven new lifts next year between Big Sky, Boyne Mountain, The Highlands, Loon Mountain, Sunday River and Sugarloaf. Projects run the gamut from fixed grip chairlifts at Boyne Mountain and Loon to a bubble six place at The Highlands and the all-new Big Sky tram.