I have said it before and I will say it again. Transparency. The silence on this is, as usual, deafening. 

They could help their credibility so much by just communicating, but they just won't do it. 

Related (loosely)... it seems obvious at this point that the one triple at HV is non functional.  There is complete redundancy with the second triple, however over the holidays (like around new years) when it was busy it causes long lines because the volume is reduced by 50% with one of the two being down. 

They have not officially acknowledged it but I am positive it's broken.  And from a million miles away with proper maintenance and keeping parts on hand and mechanics who know what they're doing, there is no way a lift should be down for extended periods of time...and it sounds like in the case of NF at 7S, the whole season.

I don't have any inside info to share on local lifts, but I do know that it has become very difficult to source replacement parts for many of the aging lifts across the country.  In some cases the original manufacturer is no longer in business, or the lift designs are old enough that some parts unique to the older design are no longer cost effective for the manufacturers to produce.  In that case, the only option for ski resorts may be to go to a custom fabricator to create replacement parts, which doesn't happen overnight (and is not cheap).  It's becoming more and more expensive to service and maintain older lifts, and replacing an old lift with a new one is a huge expense that takes years of work and planning.  I don't have stats off the top of my head, but there are quite a few chairlifts in operation across the U.S. now that are older than 30 years old, and the number keeps growing.  That doesn't mean these older lifts are unsafe (if maintained and checked properly), but it does get harder and more expensive to keep them running smoothly as they age.

I think Peter Landsman at LiftBlog has probably talked about this issue on his site over the years.

In the interest of being fair, the triple in question is now running for the first time in a while.  It had been down long enough, and during some busy times, that it certainly seemed something was wrong.  So either nothing was (hard to imagine) or they got it fixed.  

Hopefully the NF lift at 7S gets squared away too.

Good points.  
Pittsburgh has many specialty steel shops and motor refurb places, but they may send out parts to whoever they have an agreement with. 
Hopefully it's not an issue with the cables themselves because that's not something you'd want to do in the middle of a ski season. 

Speaking of lifts, I always thought those carpet runner lifts at HV were super cool because they could theoretically run those lifts faster.  I think I was able to ride on one for one season but after that they gave up. 

Scott wrote:

I don't have any inside info to share on local lifts, but I do know that it has become very difficult to source replacement parts for many of the aging lifts across the country.  In some cases the original manufacturer is no longer in business, or the lift designs are old enough that some parts unique to the older design are no longer cost effective for the manufacturers to produce.  In that case, the only option for ski resorts may be to go to a custom fabricator to create replacement parts, which doesn't happen overnight (and is not cheap).  It's becoming more and more expensive to service and maintain older lifts, and replacing an old lift with a new one is a huge expense that takes years of work and planning.  I don't have stats off the top of my head, but there are quite a few chairlifts in operation across the U.S. now that are older than 30 years old, and the number keeps growing.  That doesn't mean these older lifts are unsafe (if maintained and checked properly), but it does get harder and more expensive to keep them running smoothly as they age.

I think Peter Landsman at LiftBlog has probably talked about this issue on his site over the years.

 Heck that's good. 
My only complaint with HV (aside from the lack of vert) is the parking.  It's a mud fest. 

Leo wrote:

In the interest of being fair, the triple in question is now running for the first time in a while.  It had been down long enough, and during some busy times, that it certainly seemed something was wrong.  So either nothing was (hard to imagine) or they got it fixed.  

Hopefully the NF lift at 7S gets squared away too.

 Both triple lifts have been running and I have been up here for 2 weeks. On weekdays they usually alternate. While I was skiing yesterday and today at one time during the day both were running. Lines were short. And they have been making snow non-stop since it got cold. On top of that we got at least 6 inches of snow today. So conditions were pretty damn good. 

Leo wrote:

Related (loosely)... it seems obvious at this point that the one triple at HV is non functional.  There is complete redundancy with the second triple, however over the holidays (like around new years) when it was busy it causes long lines because the volume is reduced by 50% with one of the two being down. 

They have not officially acknowledged it but I am positive it's broken.  And from a million miles away with proper maintenance and keeping parts on hand and mechanics who know what they're doing, there is no way a lift should be down for extended periods of time...and it sounds like in the case of NF at 7S, the whole season.

 

What's kinda interesting about VR, is they made it very well know they intended redesign alot of the open areas and create new trails when purchased 7S. Similar to Elk Mtn and planting conifers on open areas to create trails. Nothing has happened so far. 

With NP, NF and GS and the recent issues with them. Wouldn't it make sense to consolidate lifts on the back side? Update NP with a Skytrac conversion.

GS and NF combined as a HSQ. Starting at the base GS terminal and end around the top of NW Passage. Tahoe Lodge shields the wind that hits you in face on NF, plus eliminates that cluster#$%& that happens there constantly. 

They consolidated lifts at JFBB. I wouldn't be surprised if the tandem triples go that route, with a fgq w/ conveyor to speed up the lift and give more room between current Quad and new Quad. 

With current disaster happening at PC and some CO resorts with ski patrol issues. There track record is starting to catch up to them for all wrong reasons. They need to make improvements and quickly. Pass holders are watching and making decisions based on investments in their resorts. 

 According to Lift Blog, the North Face Lift was manufactured by CTEC and it was installed in 1989. 

Scott wrote:

I don't have any inside info to share on local lifts, but I do know that it has become very difficult to source replacement parts for many of the aging lifts across the country.  In some cases the original manufacturer is no longer in business, or the lift designs are old enough that some parts unique to the older design are no longer cost effective for the manufacturers to produce.  In that case, the only option for ski resorts may be to go to a custom fabricator to create replacement parts, which doesn't happen overnight (and is not cheap).  It's becoming more and more expensive to service and maintain older lifts, and replacing an old lift with a new one is a huge expense that takes years of work and planning.  I don't have stats off the top of my head, but there are quite a few chairlifts in operation across the U.S. now that are older than 30 years old, and the number keeps growing.  That doesn't mean these older lifts are unsafe (if maintained and checked properly), but it does get harder and more expensive to keep them running smoothly as they age.

I think Peter Landsman at LiftBlog has probably talked about this issue on his site over the years.

padjaski68 wrote:

...With NP, NF and GS and the recent issues with them. Wouldn't it make sense to consolidate lifts on the back side? Update NP with a Skytrac conversion.

GS and NF combined as a HSQ. Starting at the base GS terminal and end around the top of NW Passage. Tahoe Lodge shields the wind that hits you in face on NF, plus eliminates that cluster#$%& that happens there constantly... 

My guess is if the NF lift cannot be repaired, the lift will be replaced, hopefully with a detachable HS six. If that's the case the Giant Steps triple might be removed. If NF is replaced with a fixed grip, the GS triple will remain. The new lift will unload in the same spot as the current NF quad to facilitate the use of Tahoe Lodge and to enable easy return to the front side. The North Pole lift will remain to serve the park crowd.

Honestly, both triples sunrise/sunset at HV, have been running for like almost 40 years now. Surely with various replacements, enhancements, etc.  Great idea in 1986 to have 2 triples do the work of a detachable 6.  But every time I get on one of them these days - I remember that I sat on the the same lift in 1987, LOL.

I get that the vert doesn't warrant or work with a detachable 6, but those lifts are long in the tooth and need to be replaced with something.  

Leo wrote:

In the interest of being fair, the triple in question is now running for the first time in a while.  It had been down long enough, and during some busy times, that it certainly seemed something was wrong.  So either nothing was (hard to imagine) or they got it fixed.  

Hopefully the NF lift at 7S gets squared away too.

Vail's plan for 7S, HV, LM for the next 5 years:
Increase Epic pass purchases

padjaski68 wrote:

What's kinda interesting about VR, is they made it very well know they intended redesign alot of the open areas and create new trails when purchased 7S. Similar to Elk Mtn and planting conifers on open areas to create trails. Nothing has happened so far. 

With NP, NF and GS and the recent issues with them. Wouldn't it make sense to consolidate lifts on the back side? Update NP with a Skytrac conversion.

GS and NF combined as a HSQ. Starting at the base GS terminal and end around the top of NW Passage. Tahoe Lodge shields the wind that hits you in face on NF, plus eliminates that cluster#$%& that happens there constantly. 

They consolidated lifts at JFBB. I wouldn't be surprised if the tandem triples go that route, with a fgq w/ conveyor to speed up the lift and give more room between current Quad and new Quad. 

With current disaster happening at PC and some CO resorts with ski patrol issues. There track record is starting to catch up to them for all wrong reasons. They need to make improvements and quickly. Pass holders are watching and making decisions based on investments in their resorts. 

I honestly don't know or care how detailed of info Vail eventually releases to shareholders etc, but at least anecdotally I would say this year pass sales locally might be down a bit from the prior few years.  I could be totally wrong.  But HV and 7S seem slightly less crowded than they were the prior three years.  Again, full and fair disclosure that's just my random observation skiing regularly some at both places.  Maybe walk up lift ticket sales are down and passes aren't. 

Grumpy dad wrote:

Vail's plan for 7S, HV, LM for the next 5 years:
Increase Epic pass purchases

 

No that's an acceptable observation.  I know many people that  stopped going to 7Springs as much, and many live nearby.  (30 minutes, 15, 5).  For some the reasons are beyond their control, but for others the malaise of parking, fighting the lines, the limited elbow to elbow skiing has ruined it for them.  It's worth noting....Pittsburghers also think to ski when 1. there's snow on the ground outside of where they live and 2. it's not below 15.  
So you can expect this upcoming weekend to be the busiest yet.  MANY people have opted for the 1-7day pass vs season passes as well, so they are 'saving up' their days until the conditions and more terrain opens.  

They just opened lost girl and gunnar.   It's going to be a ZOO soon enough dont worry. 

Last weekend at 7Springs biggest loser moments:
-North face lift still closed. 
-North face inn, odd hours, closed at a time I expected it to be open (maybe 4 ?).  Sign on the slope says Open until (and then someone washed out the time).
-Only ONE beginner carpet open.  Terrible.  
-The Foggy goggle had NO seating available.  Way way way too many people just absolutely getting obliterated instead of skiing.  Many many obviously drunk people heading back out to the hill completely s***faced. 
-Giant whales on Avalanche, no attempt to open it. 
-Only 4 lanes of snow tubing open, while adjacent lane area had a huge amount of ungroomed snow for several days.  Very very long tubing lines. 
-Upper, hotel and lost boy parking lots never plowed.  Absolute mess. 

The good(ish)
-Foggy brews has games in it now. (pool tables, games etc) But a VERY limited menu, and even more limited seating aside from the large bar. Only one bartender working and two servers.  Cheesemoons are fantastic, the spinach artichoke dip was tasteless and runny. We were able to find a table though thankfully. 

-Gunnar lift open to keep the north pole line down.  
-Snow conditions were fantastic (for the east)
-I got lucky with parking, I wont say where though it's a secret (yes better than the little gunnar lot)

Leo wrote:

I honestly don't know or care how detailed of info Vail eventually releases to shareholders etc, but at least anecdotally I would say this year pass sales locally might be down a bit from the prior few years.  I could be totally wrong.  But HV and 7S seem slightly less crowded than they were the prior three years.  Again, full and fair disclosure that's just my random observation skiing regularly some at both places.  Maybe walk up lift ticket sales are down and passes aren't. 

 

Grumpy dad wrote:

Vail's plan for 7S, HV, LM for the next 5 years:
Increase Epic pass purchases

 

padjaski68 wrote:

With current disaster happening at PC and some CO resorts with ski patrol issues. There track record is starting to catch up to them for all wrong reasons. They need to make improvements and quickly. Pass holders are watching and making decisions based on investments in their resorts. 

I know it is a bit off topic... but I've seen this reported incorrectly in several places. Keystone Patrol Union is currently negotiating with Vail, but from what I have read they are making good progress and not currently expecting a strike. I believe Breck's patrol is currently under contract. Vail Resort itself does not have a unionized ski patrol. I think a lot of misinformation was spread confusing Vail Resort in CO with Vail corporation. Not defending Vail for the mess that happened in PC, but I didn't notice any impact in CO. 

I went to breck several times over the holidays (and did not spend any money, just used my pass), and they seemed to have a full patrol and were running all lifts available to open terrain. I saw the work they did to get imperial open last week and that was quite impressive. I think some of the patrol may have gone to Broomfield (HQ) during their off hours to protest, but it did not impact the resorts.