The Green Peak Triple chairlift is set to finally open.
Sunday, February 5, 2017, NewEnglandSkiIndustry.com
Green Peak Triple, February 5, 2017
After years of planning and months of construction, Waterville Valley's new Green Peak complex is set to officially open on Saturday, February 11.
Waterville's first large scale expansion since the late 1960s, Green Peak will eventually feature 10 trails of all abilities. Since final permits were only obtained in late August, the full build out was not completed in time for the 2016-17 season.
The relocation of the World Cup Triple to Green Peak has faced numerous delays. While removal work started during the summer, excavation on the new lift line did not commence until the fall. Concrete work was started in October, while the bottom lift terminal was installed in November. Towers were installed as the ski area opened for the season and initial communication line and haul rope splices were conducted in late December. Chairs are now installed.
Originally a 1986 Albertsson-Stadeli installation, the lift was rebuilt with a new drive and line equipment by Doppelmayr in 2000. Chairs were refurbished in 2016. The Green Peak installation is listed at 4,380 feet long by 1,011 feet vertical.
Novice-intermediate trails 51, 52, and 53 debuted last month on the lower portion of the peak. The upper portion of novice trail 51 will open on Saturday.
The three open trails are the only ones on Green Peak that can be covered by snowmaking this season. While portions of other trails may be skiable with natural snow, the remainder of the new trails were not excavated in time for the season.
Waterville Valley plans to have snowmaking capabilities on all 10 Green Peak trails for the 2017-18 season.
