This was the first modern lift built at Greek Peak under new ownership.Loading area with carpet and gates.View down from tower 4.Breakover towers.Arriving up top.The top bullwheel on a concrete support.Upper terminal side view.View down the long lift line.Upper part of the line.Tower 9.The base area.View up the line.Tower 1 is right next to the bottom station.Lift overview.
Including “Express” in the lift name is misleading because it is a fixed-grip. In theory, it could go faster because of the carpet. However, its max speed is 450, which is no better than non-carpet fixed-grips.
Peter, it was my understanding when this lift went it they got a waiver from NYS for 465 ft/min operation as it has the loading carpet and longer than normal chair spacing. Is that no longer the case (you list 450)?
They don’t technically need a loading carpet to run 450 fpm, but any faster (Calvin’s comment above about running 465fpm) would require a loading carpet.
This lift is the main one at the mountain and there are plenty of beginner skiers who take it. Prior to this lift’s installation, I remember there were talks of it being a detachable six-pack to simply reduce misloads, as Greek Peak has its fair share of visitors who struggle to load due to them either being new or being under the influence of something. A fixed-grip with carpet was seen as a cheaper alternative, which has also been done elsewhere at places like Beech Mountain. However, as others have mentioned, the carpet has had some issues in the past, and I specifically remember the gates opening too early a couple of years ago and people struggling to not fall off the end.
It’s still struggling with misloads, but does operate above 450fpm in the winter. It still is the main out of base lift, and gets swamped constantly. A detatch quad would probably have been able to be acquired used, and would reduce misloads while keeping costs low with a shorter ride time. The carpet is really fast, the gates probably need to open even more delayed to reduce stopping (which is nigh constant).
This lift has had innumerable problems with the carpet, loading gate operations and vibration issues (in the drive shaft) nearly since it was built. I know htey have spent a lot more on maintenance and trying to fix it over the years than such a new lift should have ever required. Locals have grumbled a lot more about it that you would expect given that it’s the only new lift since 1978!
Lift Blog 
This lift replaced Lift 1a, a relocated Borvig double. I’m not sure where it came from. That lift replaced two T-bars, the original lifts.
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Old 1A came used from Mountain Creek. Mountain Creek had many Borvig doubles removed during the 90s when all the modern lifts went in.
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Including “Express” in the lift name is misleading because it is a fixed-grip. In theory, it could go faster because of the carpet. However, its max speed is 450, which is no better than non-carpet fixed-grips.
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Old 1A ran about 325 ft/min, so this is very much an express.
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Peter, it was my understanding when this lift went it they got a waiver from NYS for 465 ft/min operation as it has the loading carpet and longer than normal chair spacing. Is that no longer the case (you list 450)?
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Why do they need a loading carpet to run 450 fpm? This lift doesn’t look to be a beginner lift.
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They don’t technically need a loading carpet to run 450 fpm, but any faster (Calvin’s comment above about running 465fpm) would require a loading carpet.
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This lift is the main one at the mountain and there are plenty of beginner skiers who take it. Prior to this lift’s installation, I remember there were talks of it being a detachable six-pack to simply reduce misloads, as Greek Peak has its fair share of visitors who struggle to load due to them either being new or being under the influence of something. A fixed-grip with carpet was seen as a cheaper alternative, which has also been done elsewhere at places like Beech Mountain. However, as others have mentioned, the carpet has had some issues in the past, and I specifically remember the gates opening too early a couple of years ago and people struggling to not fall off the end.
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It’s still struggling with misloads, but does operate above 450fpm in the winter. It still is the main out of base lift, and gets swamped constantly. A detatch quad would probably have been able to be acquired used, and would reduce misloads while keeping costs low with a shorter ride time. The carpet is really fast, the gates probably need to open even more delayed to reduce stopping (which is nigh constant).
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This lift has had innumerable problems with the carpet, loading gate operations and vibration issues (in the drive shaft) nearly since it was built. I know htey have spent a lot more on maintenance and trying to fix it over the years than such a new lift should have ever required. Locals have grumbled a lot more about it that you would expect given that it’s the only new lift since 1978!
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DO LIFTIES HAND OUT FREE PEYOTE FOR VISIONS
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Only on Wednesdays
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Well, then, I know what day I need to be there!!!
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When I saw the lift was called Visions Express, I had to remind myself it’s NOT named for a 6’3″ British accented synthezoid. 😂😂
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