2016 Lift Install Season Tied for Worst in History
Lift installations could rebound in 2017 with projects rumored in 4 states.
Monday, December 12, 2016, NewEnglandSkiIndustry.com
New England's three lift installations are in various stages of completion as winter weather overtakes the region.
The semi-private racing T-Bar installed at Cannon Mountain is complete and expected to be dedicated on December 27. The new LST lift was installed by Leitner-Poma's SkyTrac.
New Quad at Suicide Six
Chairs have been installed on the new summit quad at Suicide Six. The new Leitner Poma fixed grip quad is the only new chairlift installed in New England this season and may open next weekend.
Green Peak Triple, December 10, 2016
Cross arms have been installed on the Green Peak Triple at Waterville Valley. Much work remains in increasingly difficult conditions before the lift can open. The relocated Stadeli-Doppelmayr lift has been projected for a Christmas week opening and will be the only new lift serving new terrain in New England this season.
With only three aerial lift installations in New England, 2016 is tied for the worst in the past 60 years. Previously, 1991, 2007, and 2013 each saw three installations. Four lifts were installed in 2015.
2017
The 2017 off season could be one of the biggest in recent years, in part due to 2016 postponements.
In Maine, a new Doppelmayr triple has been announced to replace the destroyed Borvig on Spruce Peak. The replacement was originally announced as a 2016 installation.
While Saddleback Mountain Community Resort is currently still trying to raise enough funds to purchase the defunct Saddleback Mountain ski area, the group is also hoping to raise $3 million by June in order to install a fixed grip quad to replace the Rangeley double chairlift.
In Massachusetts, Berkshire East may move forward with constructing new terrain on the north face of the mountain. The ski area's former summit lift, a Poma triple, is currently in storage and could be installed in the new complex.
In New Hampshire, Whaleback's west side T-Bar installation is now slated to start in the spring of 2017. The Hall T-Bar was purchased from Plattekill.
A new Doppelmayr gondola is expected to be installed connecting the Riverwalk development to Loon Mountain. Loon also has United States Forest Service approval to install two novice chairlifts at South Mountain.
Work has begun for the installation of a refurbished triple chairlift at Pats Peak, replacing the original Peak Double. The CTEC triple is the former Snowdance Triple from Ascutney.
Mt. Sunapee could move forward with its approved lift relocations, including installing the former Sun Bowl Quad on North Peak and moving the existing North Peak Triple to the Sun Bowl. The quad installation was previously planned for 2016 and is expected to take place prior to the construction of the West Bowl.
In Vermont, a new T-Bar is expected to be installed at Burke, replacing the legendary Poma lift.
At Okemo, a novice quad chairlift could potentially be installed at Jackson Gore, while a second chairlift could eventually be installed at the South Face Village.
