Lift Construction Season Heading into Home Stretch
Three new chairlifts are scheduled to open this winter.
Thursday, October 8, 2020, NewEnglandSkiIndustry.com
Despite the difficult circumstances stemming from COVID-19, lift construction has moved forward at four New England ski areas this summer.
The multi-year installation of the Black Line Quad at Magic Mountain is now in the final stages, as the haul rope has been successfully spliced and inspected. Previously located at Stratton, the refurbished Poma fixed grip quad will significantly boost Magic's uphill capacity to the summit.
A few miles down the road, the Hayfever Triple at Haystack has been removed. Deemed redundant with the installation of a high speed six pack a few years ago, the Poma chairlift is set to be installed at Bousquet.
Since being sold to Mill Town Capital in the spring, Bousquet has been a flurry of activity. With the ownership of Berkshire East serving as advisors, the new ownership is working to improve base facilities, snowmaking, and lift infrastructure. The Yellow and Green chairlifts have been removed, with season passholders being given the opportunity to purchase chairs from the old summit lift. Concrete has been poured for the new summit triple.
Tower have been flown in by helicopter for the Green Mountain Valley School's new racing T-Bar. Located adjacent to the Inverness Quad at Sugarbush, the $1.4 million Leitner-Poma lift will provide racers with top-to-bottom service for the Kelly Brush Race Arena.
All eyes remain on Saddleback in Maine, as the area works to return after a half decade closure. The area's two aging double chairlifts have been removed to make way for the most expensive lift project in New England this year, a new Doppelmayr high speed quad. Towers are up and terminals are standing, as communication lines were being prepared this week for the estimated $7 million lift.
