I'm curious about the logic behind the "funnel" system of queuing up for the lifts at Hidden Valley. We were there over the long weekend (along with everyone else!) and this was the first time in a while that we actually dealt with any kind of a significant lift line.

I understand having one line for groups and one line for singles to add on, but I think there were something like 4 or 5 lines all funnelling together at the lifts (both the triples and the quad). Which is fine for those who actually abide by some level of etiquette and let people merge and yield, but was somewhat maddening when people (not to be sterotypical, but generally those of the younger generation;) ) just zoomed in front of us left and right.

I was skiing with my kindergarten son who kept asking why people kept "cutting" and really didn't have a great explanation for the system.....

This is a good post. I'm the eternal HV cheerleader, but I have to agree. If you are going to have your lift lines set up that way, you need to have sequential points of alternation where at each point there are only two lines meeting. So, for example, 4 lines where 2 and 2 meet ----> 2 lines that meet ---> 1 line boards the lift.

And if for some truly unknown reason you actually want them set up the way HV currently has them set up, it pretty much dictates that you absolutely HAVE to have a competent person directing the lines. Occasionally this past weekend there was someone at the bottom quad directing, but normally it was every man for himself, which doesn't work.

And, while I am complaining, I'll also say that HV needs to address the issue of the frequency which with the lift stops. I know it's a family resort and there are young'ns on the lift, etc....but I left Sunday b/c I couldn't take it. The main quad lift was literally stopping every 2-3 chairs. Not only does that significantly impact the lift lines, but it also reduces the number of runs I can make in any given time period.

If there was one thing the old doubles did, it was scare alot of newbies from riding the lift that sat closer to the lodge (Lightning?)

Line queues at most ski areas do not make sense without someone to coordinate loadings. What annoys me more is when the person who should be coordinating loadings is too busy with the scanner gun.

My son and I were at HV Friday from 9 AM - 2 PM. They had someone scanning which I thought was a waste of resources. There were zero lines and hardly anyone there. I would think they would use those employees to direct traffic on the busy weekend days VS paying them on a Friday morning to take up space.

We went to Wisp the week before on a Sat and those folks did a great job with filling the chairs with singles + doubles. It was busy and the lines looked long but with a little organization, the lines moved quickly.

If people are cutting lines, call them on it. Call out loudly so that all others in line will hear. When you are at the merge point, take your turn and if someone cuts you remind them that you paid for your pass too. Tell the lift attendant that people are cutting lines. Tell customer service when you take a break. I really get annoyed at rude people so if they want to get passed me in line with some lame excuse like my friend is ahead I tell them too bad, my friend is at the top of the mountain waiting so back off. After a while other thoughtful folks in line will begin to self police but if the patient folk sit back and take it the obnoxious will rule. Don't let them, enforce etiquette.

Keep in mind it was a holiday weekend,thus one would expect crowds. Lift lines are usually less during non-holiday periods. The lift area at HV is a bit squeezed so it limits the geometry of the lift line area.
What drives me crazing is the North Summit quad...it can be a long slow ride with the little monsters falling during loading. And there is no padding on the chairs, just slippery hard plastic. They should replace this lift with a detachable lift.

I completely agree. The line management at HV is very bad especialy on summit. Over on summit the line almost allways is long on weekends and holidays. also the lift stops constantly and seems like it takes forever to get to the top. the lift its self is very outdated with plastic seat

dont know how that happend. I thaught i typed more.

And to add to that, the employees at the summit lift are more concerned about board leashes, and pole straps, stopping the line to lecture people on the importance of them, while empty chairs wizz by. Then when they arent lecturing people, they are doing a piss poor job of managing the lines.

They should go watch the employees and the setup Snow Shoe has at teh bottom of Ballhooter. It is fed from two sides with people perfectly directing the feed lines to loading lines. It moves smoothly and they manage to scan tickets.

Also what is with that one guy who just stands there doing nothing not even organizing the long line?