From Expo To Vail In 10 Days

Early in May, the Vail, Colo., management saw the need for a small chairlift to replace a surface lift serving their novice skier clientele. By September, Assistant Mountain Manager Bill Sargent had finalized the contract purchasing one of the two aerial lifts—a double chair operated at the World’s Fair by Riblet-Expo.

Bob Parker, mountain construction manager of Vail, immediately began planning the shipping and construction schedule for the lift. By November 3, all the foundations were ready at Vail, and two trucks with a crew of four from Vail were in Spokane, waiting for the “Sky Float” to carry its last passenger.

At the stroke of 6 pm, the Fair and the lifts were closed. By 7 pm, the closing ceremonies were over and the lift removal began. (See schedule)

Since the end terminals were shipped assembled, wide load permits were required, and movement of the trucks was restricted to daylight hours.

Once at Vail, the erection phase was carried out round the clock, with the crews working 8-hour shifts and the supervisors twelve. Construction continued so that on Monday night, November 11, R. J. Knight tucked the last tail of the splice and the lift was ready for chair installation.

Wednesday was the load test, attended by the appropriate representatives and authorities.

This project was completed on time due to excellent planning, adherence to schedules and that spirit in some people who don’t know the meaning of the word, “Can’t.”

The Schedule

Expo

Vail