Lifts 1974

As in the past, the primary source of information on new lifts and new areas is the lift manufacturer. The key data verification involves making sure that the lift is primarily for skiing, and that it has not previously been reported and put into the statistical data. Sometimes, magazine deadlines being what they are, a lift is included in one year’s statistics in the expectation of its being open for that year. But, for various reasons, the opening is postponed to the following season. That lift will not be re-listed for reasons of cumulative statistical accuracy. Also, there are fine lines to be drawn in deciding whether a major modification or rebuilding of a lift constitutes a new installation or not. Errors of fact and of judgment inevitably creep into a compilation such as this. We will, as always, attempt to correct these and keep the cumulative data as accurate as possible.

—The Editors

“Lift growth drops. . .decline marks second consecutive year of deceleration — Midwest off — A breather or a trend?” Such news is expected, considering the severe snow droughts that have plagued the East and Midwest the past three seasons. Or is it? The headline was actually taken from the fall of 1966 Sam editorial columns. In reality, the 14th Annual Lift Survey indicates that the figures of eight years ago are being repeated (see Growth Charts)

Has skiing come of age? New cable installations for 1974 total 104, vs. 131 in 1973 and 220 in 1972. This figure is considerably lower than the 128 for 1970 which marked a turning point in the downward trend of that time.

West Captures Most Chairs —

Even though the Western region shows only two new areas, this doesn’t mean inactivity has finally hit the “10-gallon-hat” set. With skier activity up 30 per cent in most western areas last year, it’s no wonder they captured over half of all chairlifts installed in North America; 38 out of 69. Canada grabbed the lead in surface lifts showing 21 of 35 total units installed. Canadian areas continue their preference for surface lifts by showing a 75 per cent bias toward them this year compared to 61 per cent last year.

Vertical Transport feet/hour

Comparing only the number of lifts erected in a certain region doesn’t always provide an accurate indication of the magnitude or total scope relative to length, horsepower, etc. Thus, the term VTFH or vertical transport feet per hour was developed. (When applied to uphill transportation, it is the number of skiers who can be carried 1,000 feet vertically in an hour. To obtain the VTFH for any lift, simply multiply the vertical rise times the lift capacity and divide by 1,000). Based on the number of cable lifts installed, the West accounted for 47 per cent of the North American total. Using VTFH the Western share is 60 per cent. The East is 19.8 per cent installed vs. 19.5 per cent VTFH; for Canada 26.4 per cent vs 16.8 per cent and the Midwest, 6.5 per cent vs 3.5 per cent. Over the years, the long and tall western lifts have provided the greater share of VTFH; 65,045 in ’72 (almost this year’s total for the whole continent) 52,025 in ’73 and 41,335 this season.

New Developments —

Aside from the apparent downward trend in lift installation and area growth, what else is developing? There is no doubt that buyers prefer the newer SCR drive units (See SAM, Fall 1973 for discussion of SCR). Ten of eighteen electric drives sold by Riblet were SCR while 25 per cent of Hall’s 12 lifts were SCR driven. Six of Heron’s seven electrically driven lifts were SCR. The D.C. horsepowers ranged from a low of 40 to a high of 250.

The “double-double”, while not making any big waves, is still generating some new business. Hall joined the market this year with two at Bromley in Vermont.

Triple chairs are gaining in popularity, especially with the advent of bullwheel loading. In 1972 only 9.1 per cent of all chairs were three-place. In ’73 it jumped to 16.1 per cent and this year 18.3 per cent. There wasn’t any action on the quad front for this season.

Quebec led the pack last year with 21 new installations and held it this year with 13. However, Colorado wins this year, not with total number of lifts (12), but with greatest VTFH; 11,446. California provides a close second with 11 lifts and 9,696 VTFH. The next three states by uphill capacity are: Washington, 4770 (6 lifts), Utah, 4452 (4) and Quebec, 4152 (13). It’s interesting to note that Snowshoe installed four triple chairs in West Virginia to bring her in sixth with 3605 VTFH. Montana dropped out of the Big Five after a brief showing last year due to the “Big Sky” development.

Trends —

A point of interest which we expect will at least continue, if not increase, is that of lift modifications. Many areas are finding it’s more practical to increase uphill capacity by improving older lifts. Lift Engineering did the job for two of Steamboat’s double chairs while Doppelmayer updated a T-Bar for Brundage Mt., Idaho. Squaw Valley modernized four double chairs; Alpine Meadows and Sierra Blanca, one apiece. Many other areas opted for similar renovations which are shown in brackets in the tabulated data and not included in the totals.

Wire rope tows don’t seem to exhibit any different trends than do other lifts. From 20 in 1969 to 45 in 1972 to 26 in ’73 and 12 this year indicates these little guys pretty much follow the big fellas. Their low cost doesn’t seem to be an inducement to buy.

What’s coming in the future? Good question. There is little value in going back over the past 14 years for guidance. New constraints due to energy conservation, environmental legislation, lack of snow and now a recession, have little correlation with the past. We do see more updating of existing lifts and replacement of surface lifts with aerial carriers. The tendency seems to be, “Let’s get the most out of what we have.” This includes installing dual doubles (or triples) on existing trails to minimize environmental backlash and maximize use of developed space. In any event, the skier is here to stay and so is the Annual Lift Survey.

Manufacturer	1969	1970	1971	1972	1973	1974	Total
Ski Facilities (Mitey Mite)	12	11	19	24	15	7	88
Mueller						5	5
Staedeli (Pony)	8	11	16	14	9	0	58
Samson				1			1
Harusch			7	6	2	6	21
Total	20	22	42	45	26	18	173

Region	New Areas	New VTFH	New Lifts — Surface	New Lifts — Chair	New Lifts — Gondola	Total
East	5	13,431	4	17	0	21
Midwest	0	2,436	0	7	0	7
West	2	41,335	10	38	0	50
Canada	10	11,521	21	7	0	28
Total	17	68,723	35	69	0	104

Region	Numbes of New Lifts ’74	’73	’72	Vert. Transp. Ft. Per Hr. (VTFH) ’74	’73	’72
East	21	23	58	13,431	13,078	21,868
Midwest	7	11	38	2,436	4,398	13,049
West	48	53	70	41,335	52,025	65,045
Canada	28	44	54	11,521	17,758	31,545
TOTALS	104	131	220	68,723	87,259	131,507

Manufacturer	Surface	Chair	Total
Borvig	1	8	9
Cana Poma	2	2	4
Doppelmeyr	11	1	12
Hall	0	13	13
Heron	0	8	8
Lift Engineering	2	12	14
Mueller	3	0	3
Poma Aerial	5	2	7
Riblet	0	15	15
Rice2	0	(2)	(2)
Samson	7	1	8
Skyway Engineering	4	0	4
Staedeli	0	2	2
Thiokol	0	5	5
Total	35	69	104

Region	Surface	Chair	Gondola & Tramway	Total
East	537	441	17	995
Midwest	181	220	0	401
West	369	547	21	939
Canada	411	150	4	565
Total	1498	1358	42	2898

New Lifts by State

State	Location	Type	Manufacturer	Length	Vert.	Cap.	Speed
CONNECTICUT	1Lake Ridge Dev., Torrington	2 Chair	Borvig	820	163	900	450
MAINE	Sugarloaf, Kingfield	2 Chair	Borvig	3080	617	1200	450
MASSACHUSETTS	1Greylock Glen, Adams	J-Bar	Borvig	775	84	600	270
MASSACHUSETTS		2 Chair	Borvig	1110	170	1000	350
MASSACHUSETTS		2 Chair	Borvig	3341	761	1200	500
MASSACHUSETTS		2 Chair	Borvig	1795	480	1200	450
MASSACHUSETTS	Merrimac Valley, Methuen	T-Bar	Mueller	1007	203	750	500
NEW HAMPSHIRE	Waterville Valley	2 Chair	Staedeli	2859	584	1440	450
NEW HAMPSHIRE	Wildcat	3 Chair	Riblet	1444	237	1000	350
NEW YORK	1 2Bluemont, Yorkshire (Mod.)	2 Chair	Rice	(4400)	(500)	(1200)	(450)
NEW YORK	1Cortina Valley, Haines Falls	2 Chair	Poma Aerial	3350	600	1200	492
NEW YORK	1Cortina Valley, Haines Falls	2 Chair	Poma Aerial	2702	455	1000	450
NEW YORK	1Cortina Valley, Haines Falls	Poma	Poma Aerial	900	198	625	415
NEW YORK	Plattekill Mt. Ski Center, Roxbury	3 Chair	Hall	2668	844	1800	480
NEW YORK	Shumaker Mtn., Mohawk	2 Chair	Hall	2839	508	958	480
PENNSYLVANIA	1Masthope, Lackawaxen	2 Chair	Borvig	3352	593	1200	450
PENNSYLVANIA	Pocono Manor	T-Bar	Poma Aerial	830	126	750	422
VERMONT	Big Bromley, Manchester Ctr.	2 Chair	Hall	2140	385	1200	460
VERMONT	Big Bromley, Manchester Ctr.	2 Chair	Hall	4803	1213	1200	500
WEST VIRGINIA	Snowshoe	3 Chair	Thiokol	3079	604	1200	460
WEST VIRGINIA	Snowshoe	3 Chair	Thiokol	3275	695	1500	465
WEST VIRGINIA	Snowshoe	3 Chair	Thiokol	605	75	1200	450
WEST VIRGINIA	Snowshoe	3 Chair	Thiokol	6175	1456	1200	500

State	Location	Type	Manufacturer	Length	Vert.	Cap.	Speed
MICHIGAN	1 2Norvul, Vulcan	2 Chair	Rice	(1765)	(292)	(1200)	(450)
MICHIGAN	1 2Norvul, Vulcan	2 Chair	Rice	(1725)	(304)	(1200)	(450)
MINNESOTA	Afton Alps, Hastings	2 Chair	Hall	1100	190	1000	400
MINNESOTA	Afton Alps, Hastings	2 Chair	Hall	900	210	1000	400
MINNESOTA	Hyland Hills, Bloomington	3 Chair	Borvig	732	152	1800	450
MINNESOTA	Lutsen No. 1 (Mod.)		Riblet	(2550)	(502)	(795)	(450)
MINNESOTA	Spirit Mt. Duluth	3 Chair	Hall	2058	397	1800	460
MINNESOTA	Spirit Mt. Duluth	2 Chair	Hall	2135	398	1200	460
MINNESOTA	Spirit Mt. Duluth	2 Chair	Hall	739	100	1000	340
MINNESOTA	Spirit Mt. Duluth	2 Chair	Hall	2072	391	1200

State	Location	Type	Manufacturer	Length	Vert.	Cap.	Speed
ALASKA	Alyeska Resort	2 Chair	Riblet	1052	315	1200	389
ALASKA	Elmendorf AFB	Poma	Poma Aerial	1225	198	625	415
CALIFORNIA	Alpine Meadows (Mod.)	2 Chair	Lift Engineering	(5420)	(1600)	(870)	(500)
CALIFORNIA	Goldmine No. 2	2 Chair	Riblet	2896	519	1000	400
CALIFORNIA	Green Valley	Platter	Lift Engineering	745	212	30	375
CALIFORNIA	Mammoth Mtn.	2 Chair	Lift Engineering	5600	950	1200	475
CALIFORNIA	Mammoth Mtn.	2 Chair	Lift Engineering	6090	1314	1200	475
CALIFORNIA	Mt. Reba, Bear Valley	Platter	Lift Engineering	780	100	600	407
CALIFORNIA	Northstar	2 Chair	Riblet	5746	1171	1180	500
CALIFORNIA	Sierra Ski Ranch	2 Chair	Lift Engineering	1140	145	1200	400
CALIFORNIA	Squaw Valley	2 Chair	Lift Engineering	2500	540	1200	450
CALIFORNIA	Squaw Valley	2 Chair	Lift Engineering	2660	1096	1100	535
CALIFORNIA	Squaw Valley	2 Chair	Lift Engineering	3800	1252	1200	500
CALIFORNIA	Squaw Valley	2 Chair	Lift Engineering	3855	1235	1200	500
CALIFORNIA	Squaw Valley (Mod.)	2 Chair	Lift Engineering	(2050)	(300)	(1200)	(450)
CALIFORNIA	Squaw Valley (Mod.)	2 Chair	Lift Engineering	(3040)	(550)	(1200)	(450)
CALIFORNIA	Squaw Valley (Mod.)	2 Chair	Lift Engineering	(3100)	(750)	(1200)	(475)
CALIFORNIA	Squaw Valley (Mod.)	2 Chair	Lift Engineering	(8200)	(200)	(800)	(450)
COLORADO	A Basin	2 Chair	Heron	4045	1005	1150	500
COLORADO	Geneva Basin	2 Chair	Heron	2690	728	1050	500
COLORADO	Keystone	2 Chair	Lift Engineering	4190	953	1200	500
COLORADO	Loveland	2-way 2 Chair	Heron	5350	308	900	525
COLORADO	Steamboat Springs	2 Chair	Lift Engineering	1505	305	1200	475
COLORADO	Steamboat Springs (Mod.)	2 Chair	Lift Engineering	(3532)	(1246)	(1100)	(500)
COLORADO	Steamboat Springs (Mod.)	2 Chair	Lift Engineering	(3630)	(950)	(1100)	(500)
COLORADO	3Winter Park	2 Chair	Heron	5820	1576	1200	500
COLORADO	Winter Park	2 Chair	Heron	3415	1051	1200	500
COLORADO	Winter Park	2 Chair	Heron	4805	1452	1200	500
COLORADO	Winter Park	2-way 2 Chair	Heron	1244	130	1080	450
COLORADO	Wolf Creek, South Fork	2 Chair	Borvig	2705	702	1000	450
COLORADO	Vail	2 Chair	Riblet	5484	1525	1200	500
COLORADO	Vail	2 Chair	Riblet	945	146	1200	350
IDAHO	Brundage Mt. (Mod.) McCall	T-Bar	Doppelmayr	(1570)	(400)	(506)	(500)
IDAHO	Schweitzer	2 Chair	Riblet	4241	1153	1180	500
IDAHO	Soldier Mtn.	2 Chair	Staedeli	2265	603	1200	450
MONTANA	Missoula Snow Bowl (Mod.)	T-Bar	Doppelmayr		N/A
MONTANA	Missoula Snow Bowl (Mod.)	T-Bar	Doppelmayr	(2625)	(800)	(900)	(590)
NEW MEXICO	Red River	2 Chair	Riblet	5689	1515	1200	500
NEW MEXICO	Sante Fe	2 Chair	Riblet	4288	842	1200	450
NEW MEXICO	Sierra Blanca (Mod.)	2 Chair	Riblet	(5100)	(1300)	(1000)	(450)
NORTH DAKOTA	1Minot	T-Bar	Doppelmayr	1046	180	1350	512
NORTH DAKOTA	1Minot	Platter	Doppelmayr	509	70	760	433
NORTH DAKOTA	Trestle Valley	T-Bar	Doppelmayr	1200	200	1350	512
NORTH DAKOTA	Minot	Platter	Doppelmayr	510	70	760	433
OREGON	Anthony Lakes	2 Chair	Riblet	3256	681	1060	500
OREGON	Mt. Bachelor (Mod.)	2 Chair	Riblet	(5496)	(1292)	(1111)	(500)
OREGON	Mt. Hood Meadows	2 Chair	Riblet	3556	892	1190	500
SOUTH DAKOTA	Terry Peak, Deadwood	Poma	Poma Aerial	975	139	538	422
UTAH	Alta	2 Chair	Lift Engineering	3710	1121	1000	480
UTAH	Brighton Ski Bowl	2 Chair	Lift Engineering	3930	1114	1000	500
UTAH	Greater Park City	2 Chair	Lift Engineering	5630	1295	1000	550
UTAH	Park City	Poma	Poma	3550	1284	718
WASHINGTON	Crystal Mt.	3 Chair	Thiokol	2476	847	1800	500
WASHINGTON	Hyak	2 Chair	Riblet	2584	878	1150	450
WASHINGTON	Mt. Baker	2 Chair	Riblet	3252	1265	900	500
WASHINGTON	Snoqualmie Summit	3 Chair	Riblet	2017	692	1500	450
WYOMING	Grand Targhee	2 Chair	Riblet	3236	1200	1300	500
WYOMING	Jackson Hole	3 Chair	Heron Engineering	3450	1046	1450	460

New Lifts by Province

Province	Location	Type	Manufacturer	Length	Vert.	Cap.	Speed
ALBERTA	Marmot Basin (Mod.) Jasper	T-Bar	Doppelmayr	(1828)	(336)	(800)	(500)
ALBERTA	Silber Summit, Edson	T-Bar	Doppelmayr	1400	400	1197	590
ALBERTA	Sunshine Village, Banff	3 Chair	Hall	2730	454	2100	460
BRITISH COLUMBIA	1Blewett	T-Bar	Doppelmayr	1708	456	900	590
BRITISH COLUMBIA	1Elkford	T-Bar	Doppelmayr	3800	900	300	590
BRITISH COLUMBIA	1Mt. Arrowsmith, Vancouver Island	2 Chair	Doppelmayr	3016	602	1098	450
BRITISH COLUMBIA	Snow Valley	T-Bar	Doppelmayr	1964	436	945	590
LABRADOR	1Sno Goose Ski Club, Labrador	T-Bar	Mueller	2171	547	700	550
NEW BRUNSWICK	Sugarloaf Prov. Pk., Campbellton	T-Bar	Skyway Engineering	810	150	1200	400
ONTARIO	Blue Mtn Resort	3 Chair	Cana-Poma	2760	630	1800	480
ONTARIO	Chicopee S.C., Kitchener	T-Bar	Skyway Engineering	910	126	1200	350
ONTARIO	1City of Sudbury	T-Bar	Skyway Engineering	770	180	1200	400
ONTARIO	Craigleith S.C., Collingwood	2 Chair	Hall	2165	533	1200	460
ONTARIO	1Laurentian S.C., N. Bay	2 Chair	Cana-Poma	2700	620	1200	480
ONTARIO	Mt. Pakenham, Pakenham	2 Chair	Hall	1531	256	1200	460
ONTARIO	Onaping Ski Hills, Onaping	Platter	Doppelmayr	263	36	786	472
ONTARIO	Sky Loft S.C., Uxbridge	T-Bar	Skyway Engineering	1100	210	880	400
QUEBEC	Cabano	Platter	Doppelmayr	263	36	786	472
QUEBEC	Cap d’Ours, Rouyn	Platter	Samson	540	93	800	450
QUEBEC	1Lac de l’Argile	T-Bar	Samson	1723	430	1200	450
QUEBEC	Mt. Avalanche	T-Bar	Doppelmayr	1400	400	1197	590
QUEBEC	Mont Cascades, Cantley	Platter	Samson	410	43	500	350
QUEBEC	Mont Castor, Ste Agathe	T-Bar	Samson Ind.	920	247	1200	450
QUEBEC	1Mont-Orignal, Lac Etchemin	Chair	Samson	3260	723	1000	450
QUEBEC	1Mont-Original, Lac Etchemin	Platter	Samson	1560	250	325	440
QUEBEC	Mont Ste. Anne, Beaupre’	T-Bar	Mueller	3530	967	1100	600
QUEBEC	1City of Montreal	Poma	Cana Poma	340	48	800	360
QUEBEC	1City of Montreal	Poma	Cana-Poma	340	48	800	360
QUEBEC	1Parc Naturel, St. Raymond	T-Bar	Samson	1513	276	1200	450
QUEBEC	Vallee du Parc, Grand-Mere	T-Bar	Samson	1865	385	1200	450

1. New Area
2. Info received too late for inclusion in statistical totals and charts
3. The four Winter Park lifts currently under construction will not be in use during the 1974-75 season and SAM erred in including them in the statistical totals. For accuracy in cumulative records they will be omitted from next year’s tabulations.