The bottom terminal and tower 1.Riding up at tower 13.View back down the line.Breakover towers near the top.This is one of only three lifts in the world to have this design of Poma terminals.The top terminal used to be located on the mountain in the background. The lift was shortened to reduce wind closures.Upper section of lift line.Another lift line view.Shot up the line.Return terminal and lift line.Another shot of the base station.View down the former upper lift line after the top terminal was moved.Old top station site.Bottom station from above.
This lift had wind related issues due to excess clearing in the High Country area. This often caused the lift to be closed. The only way to fix the problem was to shorten the lift so that it terminated below the High Country. The shortening of the lift also improved skier flow in and around the High Country.
The other two lifts with this terminal design are the Rainier Express at Crystal Mountain in Washington, and the Angel Express at Sunshine Village in British Columbia
What manufacturer is most likely to replace this lift? Obviously, it’s been a while since Waterville purchased a new lift (not counting the T-Bar, since LST doesn’t make detachables, at least in the US), so I’m not sure if they prefer a certain manufacturer or not.
Given that Waterville Valley has not bought from Doppelmayr or LPA this century, I do not think there is a preference one way or the other beyond performance and cost. What is know is that its replacement will be a six-pack with bubbles.
Does anyone know what this lift’s current vertical rise is? The 1,912′ vertical rise listed on the spreadsheet is likely from when it was originally installed and ran to the summit of the ski area.
Terminal skin aside, the mechanical workings of REX are no different than any Poma detach from ’85-’91. No need to be specific about parting this one out. I was able to get parts for the old Flyer throughout its life, and while there’s a longer lead time on some, they’re still available.
It’s sad, but seeing the condition of White Peaks in comparison to REX, I’m not surprised. After a recent rebuild (30 years old in 2018), REX looks like it’s in nearly new condition. White Peaks looks like it was worn out. I was on REX’s last day of operation for this past 21/22 season and it’s in the best condition I’ve seen it since working at Crystal in 1990.
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Is one of the other two to have the terminal design Rex at CM? They look quite similar to my less-than-trained eye and they were both ’88.
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Yes, White Peaks and Rex are sister ships along with Angel Express at Sunshine Village.
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Same design. Though White Peaks is the only one of the three to be a top-drive lift, Rex and Angel Express being bottom drive lifts.
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Why was it the top moved down?
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This lift had wind related issues due to excess clearing in the High Country area. This often caused the lift to be closed. The only way to fix the problem was to shorten the lift so that it terminated below the High Country. The shortening of the lift also improved skier flow in and around the High Country.
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Waterville Valley has a history of excess clearing, leading to wind problems for lifts. Sunnyside and Green Peak suffer from the same problem.
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How many chairs did this lift have when it ran all the way to the top?
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The other two lifts with this terminal design are the Rainier Express at Crystal Mountain in Washington, and the Angel Express at Sunshine Village in British Columbia
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What manufacturer is most likely to replace this lift? Obviously, it’s been a while since Waterville purchased a new lift (not counting the T-Bar, since LST doesn’t make detachables, at least in the US), so I’m not sure if they prefer a certain manufacturer or not.
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LST makes detachable a in Europe
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Given that Waterville Valley has not bought from Doppelmayr or LPA this century, I do not think there is a preference one way or the other beyond performance and cost. What is know is that its replacement will be a six-pack with bubbles.
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They also one detachable from each.
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It’ll likely just go to the lowest bidder
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It was announced today that the replacement will be an MND Ropeways detachable six-pack with bubbles: https://liftblog.com/2021/04/19/mnd-ropeways-to-build-first-us-detachable-at-waterville-valley/
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Does anyone know what this lift’s current vertical rise is? The 1,912′ vertical rise listed on the spreadsheet is likely from when it was originally installed and ran to the summit of the ski area.
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1,585 feet.
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Crystal will need these parts now!
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I hope that Crystal buys the parts for this and uses it on Rex.
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Terminal skin aside, the mechanical workings of REX are no different than any Poma detach from ’85-’91. No need to be specific about parting this one out. I was able to get parts for the old Flyer throughout its life, and while there’s a longer lead time on some, they’re still available.
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I have a question: does anyone think the chairs or the parts will be reused somewhere at WV? I know Sunnyside will be replaced with a fixed grip quad.
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RIP to 1/3 Poma chairlifts with this kind of terminal.
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It’s sad, but seeing the condition of White Peaks in comparison to REX, I’m not surprised. After a recent rebuild (30 years old in 2018), REX looks like it’s in nearly new condition. White Peaks looks like it was worn out. I was on REX’s last day of operation for this past 21/22 season and it’s in the best condition I’ve seen it since working at Crystal in 1990.
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Is the ski run in pic 3 a part of waterville?
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