The Pasture is one of only four remaining J-Bar ski lifts in New England.
Sunday, January 29, 2017, NewEnglandSkiIndustry.com
Pasture J-Bar (2016 photo)
In a proposed action recently submitted to the United States Forest Service, Waterville Valley is requesting permission to replace the Pasture J-Bar with two conveyor lifts. The Forest Service is currently planning to make a decision on the request in April.
Located adjacent to the base lodge and White Peaks Quad, the Pasture J-Bar is one of only three remaining lifts from Waterville Valley's 1966-67 debut season. The 950 foot long Hopkins J-Bar serves the novice Pasture slope. Next to the lift is Waterville's only conveyor lift, which operates exclusively for children's lessons.
As part of the proposed action, Waterville would replace the J-Bar with two more conveyor lifts. The action also calls for the construction of a new ski and board rental building. A previously approved action would place a new racing building on the opposite side of the Pasture slope, near the recently removed World Cup Triple.
Once a popular novice lift located at dozens of New England ski areas, the J-Bar has fallen out of style with the rise of conveyor lifts. The only J-Bars serving skiers in New England are located at Black, Burke, Suicide Six, and Waterville. Pats Peak has retained a J-Bar for its tubing operating.
It is not known if the proposed action will be affected by recent lift issues.
The Green Peak Triple has yet to open, reportedly due to installation issues. The relocated Albertsson-Stadeli-Doppelmayr lift was originally slated for a Christmas week opening. Three new lower mountain trails debuted earlier this month.
Meanwhile, the High Country Double has been closed for the past week, following its third evacuation this month. Waterville Valley has to release any additional information as to why the lift is still closed or when it will reopen.
