New ski lift installations for the 2018-19 season have been announced in New Hampshire and Vermont.
Monday, May 7, 2018, NewEnglandSkiIndustry.com
Snowdon Quad Removal at Killington, May 6, 2018
With the ski season coming to a close, lift projects are already kicking into gear in New England.
Lift crews are working seven days a week at Killington, as an aggressive series of lift projects are under way. The sheave trains are being removed from the Snowdon Quad, as the lift will be relocated to the South Ridge complex. In its place, a high speed six person bubble chairlift will be installed by Poma.
Snowdon Poma at Killington, May 6, 2018
In addition, cables have been removed from the Snowdon Pomalift. The final remaining Poma from Killington's debut in 1958, the surface lift will be relocated to the Swirl trail at Ram's Head, which will be used for race training. Meanwhile, all K1 gondola cabins have been parked at the base of the lift. The gondola will be rebuilt with new cabins in 2018.
High Country at Waterville Valley, April 2018
Two on-going installations are expected to be completed this year. Construction of the High Country T-Bar at Waterville Valley resumed this spring and is expected to be completed in time for the 2018-19 season. The new LST lift will be less susceptible to winds, operate faster, and serve slightly more vertical than the High Country chairlift it is replacing.
Meanwhile, construction of Magic Mountain's Green Chair, stalled due to the death of George Krueger, is expected to be completed by July 1, 2018. The Borvig double chairlift has been installed in stages since being acquired from Stratton in the early 2000s. Magic did not confirm or deny rumors of another lift project in 2018.
Bretton Woods is planning to install an 8 person gondola this year, which will eventually be augmented with a new summit restaurant.
Stratton will be removing the Snow Bowl fixed grip quad and replacing it with a new high speed detachable quad. Stratton has multiple interested parties attempting to purchase the fixed grip chairlift.
Ascutney T-Bar, December 2017
Ascutney Outdoors will be installing a used Doppelmayr T-Bar, pending final permits. Components are being refurbished and Pfister Mountain Services has been contracted for the installation. Previously located at Centre de ski Le Relais, Quebec, the lift is expected to be about 2,500 feet long, serving the former lower main mountain area.
Berkshire East, Lost Valley, and Pats Peak have all procured chairlifts for future projects, but will not be installing them in 2018. Meanwhile, Gould Academy is continuing to raise money for a new racing T-Bar. The school is hoping to install the lift at Sunday River in 2019.
Sunapee has not announced if the North Peak and Sun Bowl lift projects will be undertaken this year. As part of the resort's five year plan, the North Peak Triple would be relocated as a second lift in the Sun Bowl, while the former Sun Bowl fixed grip quad would take its place on North Peak.
Announced Installations for 2018-19 Season
Ascutney - T-Bar
Bretton Woods - 8 person gondola
Killington - Detachable six pack bubble, fixed grip quad
Magic - Fixed grip double
Stratton - Detachable quad
Waterville - T-Bar
