Lift Construction Kicks Off as Future Projects Go Through Permitting
The next few off-seasons could be busy at New England ski areas.
Saturday, April 27, 2024, NewEnglandSkiIndustry.com
Though the 2024 slate of new lifts may be smaller than in recent years, many other projects could be underway in the next year or two.
Five chairlift installations are currently announced for the 2024 off-season, three of which are in Maine. Four of the installations are fixed grip chairlifts, while Pleasant Mountain is set to receive a refurbished high speed detachable quad.
Pleasant Mountain Summit Triple Removal (April 13, 2024)
Ski Sundown Exhibition Triple Removal
Chairs arriving at Big Rock (circa April 1, 2024)
At least one small ski area has a lift project in the queue, as Quarry Road in Maine will be extending its rope tow further uphill into the former Colby College ski area footprint.
In addition to the installations already announced for the 2024 off-season, lift proposals are being developed in at least four New England states.
Maine
According to LiftBlog, the Timberline Quad at Sugarloaf could be replaced with the refurbished Six Shooter Garaventa CTEC six pack from Big Sky in 2025. Originally installed as the Whiffletree Quad in 1988, the Borvig was relocated to Timberline in 1996. A new Timberline lift may extend downward toward the Bullwinkle's facility, providing access from the top of the new Bucksaw Express.
Massachusetts
The North Face area remains in the proposal status at Berkshire East. According to plans presented to the Town of Charlemont in 2023, the Mountain Top triple could be relocated to the new trail complex in 2025. The Summit Quad, relegated to backup status with the installation of the T-Bar Express quad in 2024, has also been considered as a possible alternative candidate for relocation to the new complex.
Ski Butternut recently finalized a permit with the Town of Great Barrington for the replacement of the Overbrook Triple. The Thiokol chairlift was installed in 1975, serving the then-new trail complex. Ski Butternut's chairlift fleet otherwise consists of three Doppelmayr/CTEC fixed grip quad chairlifts, as well as a SkyTrac fixed grip quad installed in 2021.
A replacement for the Polar Express at Wachusett also remains in the queue. The Doppelmayr high speed quad chairlift was installed in 1994. A Doppelmayr high speed six pack has been rumored.
New Hampshire
Loonrecently announced the installation of a pulse gondola connecting the RiverWalk development to the new Timbertown complex. The Doppelmayr lift will be installed in 2025.
Pats Peak is in the process of obtaining permits for the replacement of its Hurricane chairlift. The Borvig triple chairlift was installed new in 1977 and was relegated to backup status with the installation of the Peak Triple in 2017. According to documents submitted to the Town of Henniker Planning Board, the Hurricane is nearing end of life with nearly 80,000 hours on it.
The proposed replacement was surveyed in 2023 and would have a lower base terminal and slightly higher summit terminal.
A 1997 Garventa CTEC fixed grip quad from Lake Compounce, Connecticut has been staged near the ski area for possible use. In addition to the lift, Pats Peak is bringing a proposal for a new summit snowmaking reservoir to the planning board.
Tenney Mountain recently informed the Plymouth Planning Board that its $30 million lodge project, which was scheduled to start this month, has been postponed for a few years so that the area can focus on snowmaking and other infrastructure. One lift that has been discussed recently is a high speed chairlift to replace the Hornet, which is a 1964 Stadeli double. A gondola may also be built in the future in conjunction with a hotel.
Vermont
Jay Peak is making plans to replace the Bonaventure Quad in 2025. The Doppelmayr fixed grip quad was installed in 1987 and proposed for replacement with a high speed detachable six pack in 2013 as the EB-5 scandal began to unwind.
According to Shaun Sutner of Worcester Telegram, Stratton is in the permitting process for the replacement of the Tamarack Triple with a high speed quad in 2025. The Borvig chairlift was installed in 1977.
Sugarbush is reportedly planning to replace the North Ridge Express with a new high speed chairlift in 2025. The Poma high speed quad, installed in 1990 and relocated to its current line in 1995, has faced reliability issues over the years.
